Crime Fix with Angenette Levy - BREAKING: Tiger Woods Plea Switch-Up!

Episode Date: September 2, 2026

Golf legend Tiger Woods entered into an agreement that with the State Attorney's Office in Martin County, Florida, that allowed him to plead guilty to a misdemeanor reckless driving charge rather than an OVI. Woods' Land Rover rolled over in March 2026 when he tried to avoid hitting a truck. At the time, deputies found two Vicodin pills in his pocket but the elected state attorney said Woods had a prescription for the medication. Law&Crime's Angenette Levy goes through the details of the deal in this episode of Crime Fix — a daily show covering the biggest stories in crime.PLEASE SUPPORT THE SHOW: Taking care of your health just got easier – start here with Zocdoc: https://zocdoc.com/CRIMEFIX #sponsoredHost:Angenette Levy  https://twitter.com/Angenette5Guest: Dave Aronberg https://www.instagram.com/davearonberg/CRIME FIX PRODUCTION:Head of Social Media, YouTube - Bobby SzokeSocial Media Management - Vanessa BeinVideo Editing - Van DinhGuest Booking - Alyssa Fisher & Diane KayeSTAY UP-TO-DATE WITH THE LAW&CRIME NETWORK:Watch Law&Crime Network on YouTubeTV: https://bit.ly/3td2e3yWhere To Watch Law&Crime Network: https://bit.ly/3akxLK5Sign Up For Law&Crime's Daily Newsletter: https://bit.ly/LawandCrimeNewsletterRead Fascinating Articles From Law&Crime Network: https://bit.ly/3td2IqoLAW&CRIME NETWORK SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawandcrime/Twitter: https://twitter.com/LawCrimeNetworkFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/lawandcrimeTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/lawandcrimenetworkTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lawandcrimeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do you swear to her him that the evidence are about to get to make the sure that you don't know what you're both toxicologists reviewing the information and evidence provided to them were of the opinion that there was insufficient proof breaking news out of florida golf legend tiger woods strikes a deal in his rollover ovi case his girlfriend vanessa trump by his side i have the details i'm anginette levy and this is crime fix tiger woods is a golf grade of A legend, but he's also had some problems. And one of those problems took center stage in a Florida courtroom today. Tiger Woods was charged with OVI in Martin County, Florida in March of 2026 after he rolled his land rover SUV while trying to avoid hitting a truck.

Take a look. Tell me what happened with the crash? I was looking down on my phone. Okay. I've already changed the radio station. And I hit. Take it. Yeah.

I just keep you down here with us, please. Yeah. I was just talking to the president. I had seven-back operations, 20-some amount of operations on my leg. Are you okay if you have the glass because the car is already already jacked up, right?

I think so. All right. Here you're probably. Last five, fine, fine. We're going to go two here. This is fun. Now months later, and after a stint in rehab, Tiger Woods was in court with his lawyer and his girlfriend, Vanessa Trump, and he changed his plea in the OVI case.

What's the rationality, please? Go on, Your Honor. Since I initially filed on these charges, there's been a significant conclusion of evidence, and so therefore, this is we agreed every reach in the best sense of prison. In both sides agree? Yes, sir. All right, very good. All right.

Sir, if you understand, raise your right hand and be sworn by it. Do you swear to her him that the evidence are about to get when you can sure the whole truth cannot be done. Yes. Sir, can you want to stand in front of the podium with the microphone next year to us? Okay. All right. Potes anyone who enters a plea of guilty or no contest to a criminal offense in Florida

needs to know the video about a number of rights. Among those rights are the right to make the state prove the case against him. They're very reasonable now. At a trial, I've found a trial, judge or a jury, for that person to testify or remain silent, for that person to have an attorney going on to be appointed if they can't afford me. At a trial, you would have the right to confront and cross the defendant's evidence as well as compel the attorneys of your own assistance and others to keep in mind if you're off parole or probation for any of these

that are pleading this case with a prior to the attack. If you are not a U.S. citizen, the case in this case in the subject, you need to petition. Lastly, many of these cases have So did you have enough time to speak with your attorney and are you satisfied in all respects with his advice and counsel? Yes. Did you have enough time to go to this form and is it indeed your signature on the last place of the document? Yes. The voter is stimulated to a factual basis for the entry. Yes, Your Honor.

And the state needs to honor, your honor, order, a man with me why charge to a local lots of breakfast, stopping second defense. And does the defense also find a factual basis for the police purpose, yes, sir. And the court will find that the claim based on stipulation of parties, as well as prior review the file. Stroudon find that you're pleased to hand fully, intelligently, knowingly and voluntarily

with a valid factual basis. I will follow the agreement reached by the U. RURAP and State. The agreement calls for as to count one. State amends the charge to a local one reckless driving second offense. Adjudication of Appeals, $1,000 fine, five-year driver's license suspension. All court costs, $18.44 to the state attorneys

for Fed Excharge. Count two, which is the refusal to submit to a lawful test. Adjudication of a bill, $500 fine. Defendant's entry included in the careless driving cessation, so you are adjudicated pay the minimum fine on that. Judge Bollerose is a five-year driver's license suspension to run to the parking count one. So matter of course, there are two fine-year driver's license

suspensions that will run at the same time, one under reckless driving charge and one on the careless driver's citation. The definitive agrees up front to no part ship exemptions during the five-year driver's license suspension. So as to the cost, you can pay those today or any time we're in the next four months. Okay, pay the day.

Very good. So I want you to understand the five years of driving, is for the safety of the public. There are no exceptions. If you were revived for any reason and all, you would go immediately back to jail. Tiger Woods then signed some paperwork and completed some other formalities.

He went to the gallery and talked with his lawyer and his girlfriend, Vanessa Trump, the president's former daughter-in-law. Then the Martin County State Attorney explained why he agreed to this plea deal. He said the OVI involved Vicodin and would have been difficult to prove at trial. What makes this case

more difficult is that Mr. Woods documented, there's no question about this, I'm not here to dispute, it has had multiple back surgeries, and a significant number of surgeries and operations on his leg. I believe his right, well, one of his legs, I can't say for sure. But there's no question about that. So at that time, the officer on scene elected to administer a set of field sobriety test. It did not require him to stand. Now, you saw those tests. One of them was I called derisively the patty cake test where he asked to do his hands back and forth.

Now, you can review those independently on your own and make a judgment. Does it look to me like they're looking to see, is he following instructions? Is he doing it as he was told? Is he stopping? Is he messing up? You can draw your own conclusions about how he performed. Our opinion was that when in the performance of those, field sobriety test, he did not perform well. Now, the defense would have a different position,

obviously. Like a lot of people, I put off scheduling my doctor's appointments, dealing with the phone calls, the voicemails, or endless phone tag, because it's so overwhelming. And then when I finally call, the next opening is somehow months away. It always feels harder than it should. And that's why this episode of Crime Fix is sponsored by Zoc Doc. Zoc Doc is a free app. and website that lets you search and compare high quality in network doctors. They provide reviews from real patients and detailed doctor profiles so I can compare my options and choose the doctor that fits my preferences. With Zoc Doc, I can see actual appointment openings and click to book without all of the phone call back and forth. I've been making so many of my appointments

through Zoc Doc now that I don't have to make a single phone call. Your health matters and Taking care of yourself shouldn't be complicated. Find and book the right doctor with Zockdoc. Head to Zockdoch.com slash crime fix to get started and check that appointment off your to do list. Again, that is ZOC, doc.com slash crime fix. Check it out. State attorney Tom Bacadol pointed out that Tiger Woods had a lawful prescription for hydrocodone no more commonly as Vicodin. We know how much was prescribed and how it was prescribed and based upon that and the fact that when Mr. Woods was arrested, he had two hydrocodone tablets in his pocket. We know he was taking it pursuant to the prescription. It's a fact that we need to take into consideration that we didn't know initially.

So when he, excuse me, so how do we prove that he's under the employment? In this case, we had to rely exclusively on the fact that he said he was. Now, that's a pretty good fact. I'll take it any day. Also, circumstantially, we can rely on the fact he had two hydrocodone pills in his pocket. That's pretty strong evidence. The next question then becomes, and again, just so we're clear, we subpoenaed medical records, we subpoenaed pharmacy records.

Also, I have to give a shout out to Mr. Wood's attorney. He was a consummate gentleman throughout this prosecution. Baccadal said the question came down to was Tiger Woods actually impaired. Proof, I don't make the facts. I accept them as they are brought to me of his impairment. Now, there are a couple of interesting things to note. One of them is the defense expert indicated as a conclusion of his report, which, is relatively brief, it didn't require much, there is no toxicology to do per se, indicated that Mr. Woods, as a result of his use of this particular type of substance, had built up what they called a pharmacological tolerance. Now, what does that mean?

You know, if you're drunk, if you're a drunk, you're a person who drinks for a living and you're really good at it, You can consume a great deal of alcohol and you can walk and you can talk and you can engage with people and they might not even know that you're under the influence of alcohol because you've built up a tolerance. That doesn't save you from a DUI prosecution in the state of Florida if you administer a breath test because even if you're not impaired, even if you can walk the line and touch your nose and count to 100 backwards, you cannot have a blood alcohol level of 0.08. or higher in the state of Florida. That, excuse me, that does not apply in this case, because again, this is a controlled substance, DUI. So what the doctors indicated as a result of Mr. Woods long-term use, he built up a tolerance. If he has a tolerance, then guess what?

It doesn't impair him. And if he's not impaired, guess what? I can't prove DUI. tuned, we'll take a closer look at the bodyworn camera footage from Tiger Woods's arrest later. All right. So to break down this plea agreement, I want to bring in Dave Aaronberg. He is the former state attorney for Palm Beach County in Florida, currently a defense attorney. Dave, this case could have landed in your lap when you were the state attorney for Palm Beach County. So what is your reaction to this plea agreement? And basically these charges, the OVI charge,

being knocked down to this reckless driving count. Well, good to be back with you, Ngen Ed. It did land in my laugh. I was the state attorney in the first Tiger Woods, D-U-Y case. That case led to a diversion program because when you're a first-time offender, you're entitled to diversion.

Now, that's in Palm Beach County. And the diversion program is strict, and he had to go through a bunch of things, classes and testing and lose his license. I mean, there are a bunch of things. But in Martin County, where this latest one occurred, you don't get a diversion program. There is no diversion program. And in any ways, he would be ineligible because he had his prior.

So Martin County is known for being very strict on DUIs. And I think Tiger Woods, the defense team knew that. And they didn't want incarceration. Because in Martin County, if you're found guilty, even if it's your first time DUI, you could face jail time. for the prosecutors, they saw this as not a slam dunk at all because Tiger Woods did not blow. He had a zero, well, there was no alcohol in his system, zero point zero. He did not provide your analysis. And so they're left to speculate as to whether or not they could get a conviction beyond a reasonable doubt that he was impaired.

And the biggest information they had was they had the two hydroconal pills in his pocket and they had the video of him. that showed him being a little loopy. But he could explain that by saying that, well, he'd just been in a roll over accident. It wasn't because of the drugs. So it was not an easy case of prosecutors at all. And the Martin County State Attorney gave a press conference where, and we saw a little bit of that, where he talked about how this is a controlled substance OVI case. And so he's saying, look, we looked at this analysis and that Tiger Woods had a lawful

prescription for this, this bichidin, hydrocodone, which is an opioid that he would have been taking for pain more than likely. He's, you know, had some issues over the years with, you know, leg issues with the golfing and everything and being injured in a car rack. So he had those two pills in his pocket. They were lawfully prescribed. Apparently the two pills would have been in accordance with the prescription he was receiving. And then they get the toxicine. stuff back, they hire this toxicologist who says, well, Tiger Woods has built up a tolerance over the years because he's been taking this medication. So when you take into account his tolerance, he wouldn't have been intoxicated or impaired. So how does that factor into the equation,

Dave, when you are the state attorney? Are you just like, I can't prove this, but I can't have a guy running around in a land rover and almost hitting vehicles and, rolling his vehicle. He has to have some type of consequence. From the beginning, you're not going to pursue a case unless you believe you can prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. So at the beginning, they thought, yes, we can prove this case beyond a reasonable doubt. And then the case showed its flaws, because when they got the prescription records back, it must have shown that it was Vicodin and Vicodin was found in his pocket, apparently. That's the hydrocodone pills. and since he had been using it for a long time because of injuries that we all know about.

I mean, lots of sports injuries, then he could build up a tolerance and make a legitimate case to a jury that he was not impaired, that you can't judge him based on other people's standards. He's someone who allegedly had been using this for a while and had built up a tolerance. And what other evidence do you have that he was impaired? So the prosecutors were looking at that and saying, do we really believe we can get a conviction beyond a reasonable doubt, maybe, and let's cut a deal. And so that's why they cut the deal with no jail time. So that's good for Tiger. Five-year driver's license suspension so that protects public safety. And hopefully Tiger will get the helping needs so that this never happens again.

You know, critics might say that Tiger Woods is kind of getting a sweetheart deal here. I mean, he he went to, you know, reportedly went to a rehab after this arrest saying he needed to get some help. So that almost seems like an admission that something was not right here. I think the rehab was in Switzerland too. Yes. Not like us, right? Right. I mean, I've been to Switzerland, but I'm not, if I get arrested for OVI,

I don't think I'm getting to go to a rehab in Switzerland, you know? Like, I've been there to visit, like, for a trip, you know? This is some fancy stuff here. Yes, but at the same time, prosecutors could say we treat this case like every other case in that we looked at the evidence, we looked at our chances succeeding, and we would have pled this down, and we don't want to treat him worse than everyone else. And that's always the concern, too, because you have this high-profile matter where otherwise it's just a little misdemeanor, but there's going to be a lot of resources spent on it. They went to get the prescription records,

they got the medical records, and then have the videos broadcasts all over the world from the body cams. And you just want to make sure that he's not treated worse than anyone else, that we are so scared of looking weak on a high-profile celebrity that we're going to bend over backwards to run him through the ringer. So that's why it's that balance. And I believe what the state attorney said when he did his press conference, Tom Bacadol, that he had to speak out because he had grown aggravated that people were saying, you're too soft on Tiger Woods and you're too hard on Tiger Woods.

So he had to explain that it was based on what was in front of him, the evidence and the law. Do you think his, in your estimation, does his explanation hold water? What he said at the press conference, does it make sense to you as a prosecutor? Yes, yes, it does. I know Tom Backabell. He's a tough prosecutor. He is not, as he said, a reform prosecutor. He is, he's one of the toughest, if not the toughest state attorney in the state.

When you go to Martin County, you've got to be very careful when you drive through there because first-time DUIs, unlike most other counties, could lead you into handcuffs in an orange jumpsuit. And Tom is known for being very tough on crime. So I believe that the last thing he wanted to do was to look like he was giving a special privilege to a celebrity. So he went and did the press conference and said, no, I did this based on the evidence and the law. Well, let this be a lesson to everyone. Whether you're drinking alcohol, which Tiger Woods, there was no evidence of that, and no one thinks that's what happened. this was about prescription drugs.

Let this be a lesson to everybody and a message to everyone. If you're under the influence of anything, whether it's a controlled substance or alcohol, do not get behind the wheel. It's just not worth it. You could hurt somebody yourself or someone else. Am I right, Dave? Absolutely. I mean, luckily, no one was hurt here except for Tiger Woods.

But that could have led to a real tragedy. And let's just don't do it. I mean, and if you're going to do it, if you do it in Martin County, you're really going to get wrong up. Yeah. It's so preventable. Pick out, get your phone out and call an Uber. Yeah. You know, dial up an Uber or a lift.

Dave Aaronberg, thank you so much. Thanks for having me. Now let's look back at that bodyworn camera footage from March 27th when Martin County deputies responded to the scene. How you doing, boy? You good? Yeah. All right. I'm doing well about yourself, Deputy Brunneville.

Sir, how are you? Hey. I'm Deputy Brunovil with the Mines County Sheriff's Office. Well, I'm here to investigate the... Yeah, yeah. Investigate the motor vehicle accident. And you're on the way. Can you tell me what happened real quick?

Yeah, I was looking down at my phone. You know, look at changing stations, and next thing I'll boom. Okay. Are you okay? Yeah, totally fun. Okay. All right. So, it's typical on this.

I need a phone number. You have a phone number for me. Tiger Woods said that he looked down at his phone. That was the story. And the vehicle is registered to you on your name? Okay. All right. Just saying that for me.

I'll be right back, okay? To the office. Yeah, yeah. A corporation. All right. Okay, TGR. Okay. I mean, I'll take an office number instead of... Sure. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Is that the office number or is that his...

Yeah, yeah, we'll keep that out of there. Yeah. Were you in the cars, well, sir? No. Okay, all right. Just in time, man, I'll be right back. Oh, no, so... Yeah, we can start the worker. Yeah. Um... I don't know if he's gonna need one or not. He's getting told. He's wearing sunglasses, can tell his eyes, can see his eyes.

anything like that. Speech is pretty okay. And then came the big name drop from the famous golfer. Yeah, I was talking to the president. He's very apologetic for what he did outside. No, nothing in your mouth, please. Nothing in your mouth. Let's go out, thank you.

All the hammock. None of that. No, he's very apologetic. It is what it is. Yeah. Oh, no car makes. You know, it's humid out. You don't need lipstick or not lipstick lip balm.

It's the protocol so far. So they are going to get the cars out of the road, and then they're going to come over and talk to you and let you know what's going on as far as the crash is concerned. No. Okay, do you do the crash investigation? You've got to be Brennaville? Yeah. I haven't, I mean, I've been over here with you guys.

I don't know what he's got going on right now, so he'll fill you in on where he's at on it all. They're almost back to cars, though. Cool. It's a lot of fun of all. It would always be worse, though. Oh, they're too worse. also field sobriety tests. Your eyes for this exercise, what I want you to do is place your hands palm to palm with one hand up and one hand down like this. Okay, and you're going to remain in this

position until I give you further instructions. Do you understand? Perfect. When I tell you to begin, you're going to turn your top hand over and count out loud one. Then turn your hand back over and count out loud two. Count and only when your hands make contact like this. Yes. Okay, so it's going to be one, two, one, two. Okay, so one, one here, two here? Yes, sir. Only when your hands make contact. So one, two. One, that's one. Yes, sir. Okay. You're going to repeat this. Speed up as you go and do not stop until told. Make sure you keep your hands and fingers parallel during each pat like this.

It's going to be one, two, one, two. One, two, one, two, one, two, one, two. You understand? You have any questions? All right, go ahead and begin. One, two, one, two, one, two, one, two, one, two, one, two, one, two, one two, one two, one two, one two, one two, one two. You can go ahead and stop. Okay, for the last exercise, what I'm gonna have you do is,

make a fist with both hands, place your left fist at the center of your chest and your right fist against your left chest. So it's going to look like this. So your left fist at the center of your chest and then your right fist directly in front. And you're going to remain in this position until I give you further instructions, okay? When I say begin, you must perform four tasks. Okay, your first task is to count out loud from one to four while you move your fist in a step-like fashion, making contact between each fist. So it's going to be going to look like this. One, two, three, four, okay? The second task is to memorize the position of your fist after you count it to four, clap your hands three times and return your fist to the

memorized position. So after you count one, two, three, four, you're going to memorize the position of your fist and then clap three times and then return to the memorized position. Your third task is to move your fist in a step-like fashion in a verse order, count an out loud from 5 to 8, and return your left fist to the center of your chest. So you're going to go 5, 6, 7. The task is to open your hands with your palms down and place them on your lap. So after you complete the task, you're going to open your hands up and place them on your lap. Okay, do you understand all the instructions?

Do you want me to repeat them to you one more time? Repeat them as we go. I'm sorry? Repeat them as we go. So I can't repeat them as we go. Okay. That's why I'm asking that you understand all the instructions. If you need me to demonstrate it to you one more time, I can. Okay, but this is the time to ask any questions that you have. Okay, first one, two, three, four all the way out. Do you need me to explain it to you one more time? Okay. Okay. So like I said, you're going to begin.

One, two, three, four. Don't begin yet. Okay, so don't begin yet. Okay, so all I want you to do is just remain in the starting position, okay? When I tell you to begin, you're going to perform four tasks. Okay, task one is to count out. loud from one to four while moving your fist in a step-like fashion like this and making contact between each fist. So it's going to look like this. One, two, three, four. Okay, second task is to memorize the position of your fist, clap three times, and return your fist to the memorized position. Your third task is to move your fist in a step like fashion in a reverse order. Counting out loud from five to eight. Okay, making contact between each fist. Five, six, seven, eight. Okay, placing your left fist at the center of your chest.

Your four tasks is to open your hands, palm down, and place them on your lap. Okay, do you have any more questions? All right, go ahead and begin. Okay, go ahead and staying up for me. Then you're going to face my car. Okay, go ahead and place your hands behind your back. After the field sobriety test, Tiger is placed under arrest and put in the back of the patrol car. And he has a moment where he shares a somewhat sarcastic thought about this entire situation.

This is fun. The deputies are also trying to get Tiger's golf clubs out of the Land Rover before it gets towed, but they can't get into the trunk because the power on the car is dead. So one of them does something that might be seen as a little unconventional. Take a look. Yes, please. Yeah, yeah, that's, it is exactly. for that purpose.

Or we just don't know how a fancy, or we just don't know how a fancy call work. I think we just don't know how fancy cause work. I'd answer though. I know that you're supposed to push his buck and supposed to work for when it's in the record. Is there any power? That might be the reason why.

Yeah, why are you in there? Just press the butt. Maybe there's some kind of Satan or something along. Yeah. Um, but there's usually an override. West you didn't cut the power. Did it? No. No. I don't think so.

Alright. Then we should be able to slide this down to be able to get the clock, get the clubs out. Yeah, but I'll do that. Ah. No, you're not saying. Let me, what's day? I like the manager to open the thing up. He should know. Not in the manager, I'm talking about that.

Yeah, you want it? Because it's too, it's too late, right? That's all, no? Yeah. I'm trying to get their finger. Hey, if we're trying to get his clubs out of the car before it's stowed, we can't get the sit down and there's no power. Are you okay if you have the glass? Because the car is already, I already jacked up, right?

I think so. All right. Let's let's set the professional try first before I pop the glass. Hey, is there a manual way to open this truck? Are you able to pull those clubs out there? No, I tried. You tried? I tried.

I think this. All right, let me. I just try to put the power as nothing. You want to buy a new one? No, you got to go to Lod Depot and ask them, it's called them punch. It's not this though. Yeah, it's a real one. Yeah.

Did this work? I've used it before. I just got a string loaded. I got another one in the car. I'll go a little higher. Just go a little higher. Yeah, in the corner, the bends, it's hard. I'll go grab another one.

Oh, no, those are harder to do. You got one? Perfect. A rubber band thing. Now, he's used to that right there. Yeah, I want to go? You want to go and push it through? I can pick it up.

Just, I don't know if I have a blanket or something, I don't want you to... How big about it? Where do you want to go? We're going to go two here. They got you? They bit you? Yeah, thank you. So Tiger Woods has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of willful,

reckless driving, he's losing his license for five years, and whether he'll return to the lengths to professional golfing? That's a wait-and-see question. We'll stay on top of this case and let you know if anything else develops. And that's it for this episode of Crime Fix. I'm Ann Jeanette Levy. Thanks so much for being with me. I'll see you back here next time.