Tiger Woods receives five-year licence suspension in impaired-driving plea deal

Washington, United States. Tiger Woods will have his driver’s licence suspended for five years after reaching a plea deal in his impaired-driving case that allows him to avoid jail time. The 15-time major champion entered a no-contest motion on all charges and was adjudicated guilty at a hearing at Martin County Courthouse.

Plea deal and penalties

Woods, who initially pleaded not guilty, attended a change-of-plea hearing before Judge Darren Steele on Wednesday.

Steele said two five-year driver’s licence suspensions would run concurrently: one for reckless driving and another for a careless driving citation.

“There are no exceptions. If you were to drive for any reason at all, you would go immediately back to jail,” Steele told Woods.

The 50-year-old golfer was also ordered to pay about $1,500 in fines. He has 30 days to appeal the ruling, which dropped the more serious charge of driving under the influence.

Court appearance

Woods, dressed in a dark suit and tie, arrived at Martin County Courthouse in the front passenger seat of a black SUV. He did not answer reporters’ questions as he and his girlfriend, Vanessa Trump, the former wife of Donald Trump Jr., entered and left the building.

Prosecution assessment

State Attorney Thomas Bakkedahl said he was comfortable with the outcome and described difficulties in proving that Woods was impaired by hydrocodone.

Bakkedahl said Woods had documented pharmacological tolerance following multiple back and knee surgeries.

“Both toxicologists reviewing the information and evidence provided to them were of the opinion that there was insufficient proof,” Bakkedahl said. “I don’t make the facts; I accept them as they are brought to me of his impairment.”

Bakkedahl defended the handling of the case amid criticism that Woods could receive favourable treatment because of his fame.