Tiger Woods Pleads Not Guilty, Demands Jury Trial After Florida Rollover Crash

by HEDNEWS on April 1, 2026

JUPITER ISLAND, FL Legendary golfer Tiger Woods has formally entered a written plea of not guilty in his criminal case stemming from a rollover crash on March 27, 2026 and has demanded a trial by jury, according to court filings and law enforcement reports. Woods, 50, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) after his Land Rover SUV rolled onto its side on Jupiter Island, a barrier island community near his Florida residence. He was charged with DUI with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test after declining a requested urinalysis following the crash. In court documents filed Tuesday in Martin County Circuit Court, Woods waived his arraignment and requested a jury trial, setting the stage for a contested proceeding rather than a plea deal or a bench hearing.

According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, deputies observed signs of impairment at the crash scene, including bloodshot, glassy eyes, lethargic movements and sweating. Although a breathalyzer test showed 0.00 alcohol, officers said Woods refused to comply with a urine test which under Florida’s revised laws can itself be prosecuted and two hydrocodone pills were found in his pocket. Woods’ legal team, led by attorney Douglas Duncan, filed the plea and jury demand. Duncan previously represented Woods in his 2017 DUI case, which resulted in a conviction for reckless driving and a diversion program. In a public statement after entering the plea, Woods said he is “stepping away” from professional golf to seek treatment and focus on his health, a decision that will likely keep him out of the upcoming Masters Tournament. “I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my well‑being,” he wrote on social media. No serious injuries were reported in the crash, and Woods was released on bond later the same night. His next court appearance, following the waiver of arraignment, is expected in May, though a trial date has not yet been set.

This incident marks Woods’ second major DUI‑related arrest since 2017 and follows multiple high‑profile vehicle incidents over his career, including a serious 2021 crash that required extensive surgery. Tiger Woods Pleads Not Guilty, Demands Jury Trial After Florida Rollover Crash Legendary golfer Tiger Woods has formally entered a written plea of not guilty in his criminal case stemming from a rollover crash on March 27, 2026 and has demanded a trial by jury, according to court filings and law enforcement reports. Woods, 50, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) after his Land Rover SUV rolled onto its side on Jupiter Island, a barrier island community near his Florida residence. He was charged with DUI with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test after declining a requested urinalysis following the crash. In court documents filed Tuesday in Martin County Circuit Court, Woods waived his arraignment and requested a jury trial, setting the stage for a contested proceeding rather than a plea deal or a bench hearing. According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, deputies observed signs of impairment at the crash scene, including bloodshot, glassy eyes, lethargic movements and sweating. Although a breathalyzer test showed 0.00 alcohol, officers said Woods refused to comply with a urine test which under Florida’s revised laws can itself be prosecuted and two hydrocodone pills were found in his pocket.

Woods’ legal team, led by attorney Douglas Duncan, filed the plea and jury demand. Duncan previously represented Woods in his 2017 DUI case, which resulted in a conviction for reckless driving and a diversion program. In a public statement after entering the plea, Woods said he is “stepping away” from professional golf to seek treatment and focus on his health, a decision that will likely keep him out of the upcoming Masters Tournament. “I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my well‑being,” he wrote on social media. No serious injuries were reported in the crash, and Woods was released on bond later the same night. His next court appearance, following the waiver of arraignment, is expected in May, though a trial date has not yet been set.