Tiger Woods pleads not guilty to DUI charges, to enter Diversion Program

American golfer, Tiger Woods, has agreed to plead not guilty to a charge of driving under the influence (DUI) following his arrest in May and will enter a diversion programme that will allow him to have his record wiped off if he completes the programme, a prosecutor said on Wednesday.
The 41-year-old was charged with driving under the influence in May when he was found asleep in his Mercedes-Benz, apparently under the influence of a prescription painkiller and sleeping medication. However, no alcohol was found in his system.
Woods was arraigned in absentia at the Palm Beach County courthouse. Prosecutor Adrienne Ellis said the golf superstar agreed to plead guilty at an October 25 hearing and enter the county's programme for first-time DUI offenders.
Woods' attorney, Douglas Duncan, entered a not guilty plea to the DUI charge on Woods' behalf and declined comment as he left the courthouse.
Under the plea deal, prosecutors would drop the DUI charge, which is a more severe charge than reckless driving. If he completes the programme, he can ask a judge to expunge the reckless driving conviction.
In the diversion programme, Woods will spend a year on probation, pay a US$250 fine and court costs, attend DUI school and perform 50 hours of community service. He would also have to attend a workshop where victims of impaired drivers detail how their lives were damaged and face other conditions.