Fla. woman jailed after flipping off judge during court hearing

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

(CBS) -- Penelope Soto, a Florida woman, was jailed on Monday after flipping off a judge during her court hearing, CBS Miami reports.

Soto, 18, appeared in bond court for a drug possession hearing and laughed when the judge asked her if she was under the influence.

The judge told Soto, "We're not in a club, be serious about it." Soto said she was being serious.

He initially ordered Soto to be held on $5,000 bond, to which Soto laughed again and said, "Adios."

The judge summoned her back to the podium and increased her bond to $10,000. At that point, Soto stopped laughing.

"Are you serious?" Soto asked.

The judge replied, "I am serious. Adios."

Soto flipped him off and blurted an expletive as she walked away. The judge then ordered her held in contempt of court and sentenced her to 30 days in jail.

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by Maerzie February 8, 2013 1:35 PM EST: She doesn't sound like a very mature 18 year old "woman". "Female" would have been a more accurate term to use in this article. This one hasn't grown up or learned much at all about the world yet. Let's hope this lesson helps her THINK a little.; Reply to this comment


by raymailhot February 7, 2013 8:10 PM EST: Some people are just that naive to not know what a judge has the right to do. This is true in every country and for every time in history.

Bottom line: there is no smart reason to be so rude in court.; Reply to this comment


by thornycuddles February 7, 2013 2:51 PM EST: Convoluted systems breed disrespect.; Reply to this comment

by FiremanLarry February 7, 2013 11:35 AM EST

Before I start, let me appologise if I offend anyone. Don't get me wrong, I always respect the court, I don't always respect the judge or any other court officer. They are only humans, just as you, I or anyone that is there for any reason. But sometimes, they forget that, they actually, put themselves above us, they think they are there to rule a kingdom and that "we will respect them or we will be damned..." Well I've got some bad news for you sunshine. You & I are just as good as they are, we are all equal. In the video, the young lady expressed her disrespect for the judge, in a way that offended him, he sent her to jail for it. If anyone else had been flipped off, it would not be illegal, but since it was him, he abused his power and ruled the kingdom, to demand respect, that he didn't deserve. There's another point, that needs to be brought up also. When the girl was acting the way she was, its very possible, that she may have a medical condition as opposed to being under the influence of something. Secondly, if she were under the influence. She was in custod of the corrections department, she should not have been brought before the court in that condition.

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by joe442005 May 24, 2013 6:03 AM EDT: Thank you, it is nice to know some people in this country have some sense.


by omnibus66 February 7, 2013 7:40 AM EST: The judge's office, not the person, is entitled the respect. Unfortunately the person wearing the robe is often not deserving of the respect of the office he or she holds. Also, and far more pervasive, the person wearing the robe has absolutely no respect for the fellow human being standing before him. In too many courtrooms the guaranteed presumption of innocence is replaced with a prejudicial presumption of guilt.; Reply to this comment

by jbull0ck February 7, 2013 12:57 AM EST

It seems every media outlet is sharing an EDITED version of the video.
This video seems to indicate that the judge reconsiders...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjqyfTw6pM0

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by camdad95 February 7, 2013 1:10 AM EST: It figures some was omitted from CBS's version. I saw the 3:51 minute version on Youtube just now. In my stae you are required to fill out a financial form in order for the court to decide if you can afford your own attorney ofr if a public defender is allowed. I heard what sounded like the attorney willing to be her public defender. I'll stand by my previous staement though.


by Sonnabay February 7, 2013 2:26 PM EST: Thank you for the full version of the court scene. The Judge cited Ms. Soto for criminal contempt of court with a 30-day jail sentence...and Ms. Soto was less upset over that than the increase in bail...go figure...I maintain that Ms. Soto though chronologically 18-years-of-age realistically she portrays herself as a 6-year-old...the Judge seemed irritated by all of her responses...a less irritated Judge should have prevailed at this hearing with this defendant's childish behavior...a request for psych-eval and possible counselling would better have served Ms. Soto.


by camdad95 February 7, 2013 12:53 AM EST: First off, I don't know Florida law. I do know that in my state you are not allowed to go before the court under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. That being said, I would venture to guess the same applies in any state. Why was she acting the way she was? Don't know that either. What I saw was a giggling young female in front of the court who answered the judges questions when asked. He stated to her bail was to be set at $5000 and she seemed to agree to that. He then said " bye-bye ". She replied " adios ", which means goodbye or until we see eachother again. I don't see what is so disresectful about that. She actualy apoligized for laughing and then seemed to get more serious about the situation. My opinion is that the judge took it as disrespect and raised the stakes twice. I think he probably sees so much crap day in and day out that he may have had a lapse in judgement. Her statement as to her jewlery being worth " Rick Ross " money was just her way of saying it was worth a lot. The judge probably doesn't know who Rick Ross is so she probably should have said it was worth enough to make bail. I wouldn't however go to extremes for either side of this as some have. Bye-Bye and Adios!!; Reply to this comment

by Maerzie February 7, 2013 12:16 AM EST

I am shocked at how many people are actually ignorant of the power a Judge has and the respect his office mandates. These anti-Judge responses MUST be from kids. No adult could be THAT ignorant! (I HOPE!)

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by wizardlady February 7, 2013 7:53 AM EST: Have you ever been standing in front of one of these BLACK ROBED JUDGES (who have a GOD complex) and had their wrath cast upon you?

Judge not lest ye be judged by the same Judge......

Very few Judges, if any, know firsthand what it is like to live poor, be unemployed, have an addiction, or be limited by your age and/or education; and yet, they put their feelings ahead of those upon whom they pass judgment. THE IRONY IS THAT WE ALL DO THE SAME BODILY FUNCTIONS AND WILL ALL DIE ONE DAY SO WHY CAN'T WE ALL RESPECT EACH OTHER....one life is not worth more than another.

by THGdriver2 February 6, 2013 9:15 PM EST

The judge should get a raise in pay. It's clear this tramp has never had a lesson in respect.It started when she had no respect for her parents, then family, then teachers, then rules we all live by, etc, etc.

The next time she is in court I'll bet she respects the court/judge.

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by gbgentleman February 6, 2013 11:04 PM EST: Respect is earned, not automatically deserved.


by Maerzie February 6, 2013 11:59 PM EST: Cocky teenager will learn a little in jail! She sounds like a latch-key kid who raised herself! No sign of parenting in her blatant ignorance of authority, 18 or not! Great response from the Judge!


by signseeker1717 February 7, 2013 2:47 PM EST: He must have "earned" his "respect" somehow, or he wouldn't be a judge in the first place.

BTW, it's the Office and the System you must respect, even if you don't like the individual administering justice that day.

by ECortes_Esq February 6, 2013 6:26 PM EST

As a defense attorney in Texas I deal with this sort of idiocy every day. Fortunately, I have good client control so rarely do my clients dig themselves into these types of holes. But make no mistake, a judge in his courtroom has enormous power over you, no matter who YOU think you are. Everything you ever heard about "not judging a book by it's cover" is a bunch of BS. Everyone judges you all the time. I'm not talking about what's right or what's good. I'm talking about what is real. You want the "thug life"? Then don't be surprised when a judge or a jury treats you like a thug one day. A little respect, decorum and courtesy go a LONG way in convincing people to treat you well. All young people out there, especially those facing charges, would do well to heed that advice.

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by realtimecoffee February 6, 2013 6:55 PM EST: And good asvice it is.


by HistoryNote February 6, 2013 8:47 PM EST: There really should be a weight limit for these obese, self centered, cheese sucking, judges. Maybe a regulated exercise period, before bench time.


by mgunn89512 February 6, 2013 9:31 PM EST: Its irrelevant if she's innocent. She was disrespectful!


by billbruehl February 6, 2013 11:44 PM EST: Wise advice, ECortes. I wonder if the rude and inflammatory comments we read on the web (often in a place like this) don't encourage uncivil language and behavior. Too many people think it is smart to insult when it only gets you bad karma.