By now, most Kentucky residents have seen the photos of former golfing champion Tiger Woods’ mugshot on television, in newspapers and all over social media after his recent arrest in Florida on charges of driving under the influence.
One attorney and legal analyst for CNN opines on the mistakes Woods already made that may come back to haunt him later in court.
When police came upon Woods, he was on the roadside with the car running, flashing turn signal and brake lights on. The car appeared freshly damaged on the driver’s side. Police allegedly had to awaken him behind the wheel.
It was then that the analyst noted that Woods’ bad situation began to deteriorate further. He submitted to multiple field sobriety tests, which he reportedly failed. He also talked to the police and is said to have admitted to taking Vicodin, as well as other prescription medications.
Woods also submitted to Breathalyzer and urine testing, further damaging his defense.
There are some fundamental differences between the way Florida and Kentucky handle cases of suspected DUI. While Florida is not an implied consent state, Kentucky is, even for misdemeanor charges of DUI. Those arrested here in our state on the same charges will have to eventually submit to a breath or blood alcohol test.
Yet that is still only one piece of evidence as opposed to admitting to taking opiod drugs and failing several field sobriety tests in full view of the arresting officer’s dashcam.
If you get stopped on suspicion of DUI, you should be polite and cooperative, yet only cooperate to the extent required by law. Declining to answer questions by police until you have contacted an attorney can protect your rights.
Source: CNN, “Tiger’s big mistake: Cooperating,” Danny Cevallos, June 01, 2017