Woods enters first-time DUI offender probation program
Golfer pleads guilty to reckless-driving misdemeanor
Tiger Woods got fingerprinted in a Palm Beach County courtroom Friday, but the legendary golfer no longer faces a DUI charge.
Wearing a dark gray suit, off-white shirt and sunglasses dangling from his neck, Woods pleaded guilty to a reckless-driving misdemeanor as part of a first-time DUI offender program.
The Jupiter Island resident was chauffeured away from the Palm Beach Gardens courthouse in a black Chevrolet Tahoe, knowing that a conviction for his May 29 incident in Jupiter will not appear on his record.
But that could change if Woods, 41, fails to complete a yearlong probation and other rigorous requirements, Judge Sandra Bosso Pardo said.
Woods — who was arrested based on his impairment from medications, not alcohol — will have to submit to random drug and alcohol testing, and any violations could result in a 90-day jail sentence and $500 fine, the judge warned.
He must give up driving his 2017 Mercedes SUV for 10 days, but he won’t be burdened by an alcohol monitoring device because his case didn’t involve drinking.
The holder of 14 golf major championship titles signaled his understanding of the terms, but otherwise did not make any statements during or after a seven-minute hearing. Defense attorney Douglas Duncan also declined to comment.
State Attorney Dave Aronberg used the spotlight of Woods’ court case to tout the benefits of the program that has the golfer as its most famous participant.
“Mr. Woods was treated like any other defendant, except for the media coverage,” Aronberg said at a news conference with numerous local and national media outlets after the hearing.
His office started the diversion program in 2013, with the endorsement of the Mothers Against Drunk Driving organization in Florida. The aim is to prevent repeat DUI offenses, and about 2,500 people opted for the program rather than attempt to fight the charge.
“It reduces the number of repeat offenders, and it saves taxpayers money,” he said, citing only one case out of 425 last year where someone in the program had another violation. Benefits for the public are reduced caseloads for prosecutors and less crowded court dockets.
Yet qualifying for the program is difficult. It’s not open to drivers who were in a crash or had minors or animals in their vehicles at the time of the arrest. Convicted felons also aren’t eligible.
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