Penelope Soto, Fla. teen who flipped off judge, apologizes and avoids 30-day sentence

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

(CBS) MIAMI - Penelope Soto, the Florida teen who was jailed after flipping off a Miami-Dade judge, avoided a month behind bars Friday after she apologized to him in person, reports CBS Miami.

The video of 18-year-old Penelope Soto's appearance before Circuit Judge Jorge Rodriguez-Chomat on Monday went viral due to her laughing throughout the proceeding, giving the judge the middle finger and telling him, "Go (expletive) yourself!" in response to the judge raising her bond from $5,000 to $10,000. Soto had been arrested on charges of possession of Xanax.

Soto tearfully apologized to the judge and admitted she was under the influence of Xanax and alcohol during her first hearing. He then dropped her contempt of court charges and vacated her 30-day jail term.

Soto's lawyer said she will complete a drug court program, which includes treatment for drug addiction and usually results in charges eventually being dropped for first-time offenders.

Judge Rodriguez-Chomat initially ordered Soto to be held on $5,000 bond, but after Soto laughed and mockingly told the judge, "Adios", the judge summoned her back to the podium and increased her bond to $10,000. That's when Soto cursed and the judge and flipped him off, earning her 30 days in jail.

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by Rob_Broek February 28, 2013 5:25 PM EST: This judge should have appologized to her.. what an amateuristic piece of ****.
US has a long way to go if this guy is representative for judges there.; Reply to this comment


by miavet February 11, 2013 5:44 PM EST: You are all a bunch of idiots and ignorant for blaming this girl for her actions that day.

#1 she was in jail for Xanax, and was also under the influence of it
#2 that fat ass smug judge, was toying with her as well and yet when she decides to play along and say "adios" he doesnt like it. the entire first few minutes he was laughing at her.
#3 if that fat **** would have treated me in such a way i would have acted pretty much the same and told him to go lose the pelican neck.

yes shes young and naive, yet the interaction with the judge did not at ALL signify that he was serious and not joking with her. he was smiling and joking the entire time.

i would sue, and not have apologized.; Reply to this comment


by Wildwood1966 February 11, 2013 4:00 PM EST: Bet she made her parents proud!; Reply to this comment


by lundayj2010 February 11, 2013 1:34 PM EST: thats me in the 1800; Reply to this comment


by Seeingthenews February 11, 2013 8:19 AM EST: First, I believed she committed a felony, pretty light going here to begin with.

Second, if this was a guy that did the same thing, there would have been a more dramatic removal from the courtroom along with a lot more time.

Clearly, being a cute 18 year girl did not hurt her here.

However, it is still better to be a Caucasian in the US with the right kind of help and fiends, like Lance Armstrong and Suzy Favor Hamilton, both who are somehow not being held accountable at all for their numerous felony activities.; Reply to this comment


by talljohn@hotmail.com February 11, 2013 12:27 AM EST: This women should have been left to rot in jail... It is called thinning the herd.... Ridiculous....; Reply to this comment


by HM8432 February 10, 2013 11:22 PM EST: Kids have no respect nowadays. Shame on the judge for reversing himself, though he was correct putting the spoiled brat princess in her proper place.; Reply to this comment

by Gigantricks February 10, 2013 8:04 PM EST

This guy is a judge...in the United States? He can barely speak English. This country is so disgusting!!!

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by popkorin February 11, 2013 12:49 AM EST: If you find youself in front of this judge feel free to tell him that. I want to watch that video.


by Gigantricks February 10, 2013 8:03 PM EST: I agree! It's a nasty, scumbag state.; Reply to this comment


by sawmillworker1963 February 10, 2013 4:42 PM EST: One night in jail with the " general population " made little Ms. Wannabe tough girl have a attitude change.; Reply to this comment