Tiger Woods pleads guilty to lesser charge in Florida court

MARTIN COUNTY — Tiger Woods, the professional golf legend, has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge at a change of plea hearing in court in Martin County on Sept. 2.

A case docket calls it a "change of plea," which often occur when a defendant has agreed to plead no contest and potentially a sentence can be imposed.

However, an associated case document filed by Woods' attorney, Douglas Duncan, describes it as a "plea conference." Duncan represented Woods in a 2017 DUI case in Palm Beach County.

It is mandatory that defendants appear in person at a change of plea hearing.

It is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. before County Judge Darren Steele.

In addition to being arrested, Woods was issued a traffic citation related to careless driving, which carries a $163 civil penalty, records show. That case also is scheduled for a Sept. 2 change of plea.

A judge April 1 approved Woods' request to travel out of the country to start "comprehensive inpatient treatment" after the arrest, according to court records.

See photos from Tiger Woods' rollover car crash on Jupiter Island

Woods was accused of crossing a double line while driving a Land Rover on Jupiter Island and striking a trailer attached to a pickup traveling in front of him.

Woods' sport utility vehicle rolled onto the driver's side.

Following the crash, medication was discussed or mentioned by investigators and Woods, records show.

Woods agreed to participate in field sobriety exercises. Investigators instructed Woods to take off his sunglasses. His eyes were glassy and bloodshot, and his pupils "extremely dilated," records show.

He was described as "sweating profusely" when speaking with investigators after the crash.

Woods reported he had not consumed any alcoholic beverages.

Asked if he took any prescription medication, Woods said, "I take a few."

He said "he takes medication for high blood pressure, cholesterol, ibuprofen and Vicodin."

Ibuprofen can treat mild to moderate pain, arthritis or inflammation, according to Cleveland Clinic. A prescription painkiller, Vicodin contains hydrocodone and acetaminophen, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Woods told investigators he took his prescription medication earlier in the morning.

Following additional exercises, investigators determined Woods' "normal faculties were impaired, and he was unable to safely operate the motor vehicle," an affidavit shows.

Woods was told he was under arrest. Investigators reported finding two hydrocodone pills in his pants pocket. Hydrocodone is a prescription painkiller.

After the rollover crash, Woods was taken to the Martin County Jail, his arrest affidavit states. Staff requested Woods get "medical clearance from the hospital" because he was in a traffic crash.

He was taken to the hospital and "refused all medical treatment," the affidavit states. "After being medically discharged, Woods was transported back to the Martin County Jail."

At the Martin County Jail, Woods took a breath test to measure blood-alcohol content. That test twice measured 0.00. A reading of 0.08 and greater is considered illegal.

Steele in earlier court actions ordered that Woods' prescription records be provided to prosecutors and ordered to allow a request for Woods' March 27 hospital records from Cleveland Clinic Martin South Hospital.

Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com .