Florida Woman Jailed after Flipping Off Judge

[hamsterjill]

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.


Full story and video at this link:

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57567737-504083/penelope-soto-fla-woman-jailed-after-flipping-off-judge-during-court-hearing-report-says/

[Wait Wut]

1. Good.

Maybe the brat will learn to be respectful.

[longship]

2. Pretty much defines "contempt of court" nt

[joeybee12]

3. Good...

Judges shouldn't have to put up with that shit...and as someone noted, this is pretty much contempt of court...I wonder if he'll release her if she apologizes, like the judge did for Sheldon on Big Bang Theory?

[hobbit709]

4. Stupidity carries its own penalty.

[malthaussen]

5. Sounds about right to me.

Why is it even news?

-- Mal

[WI_DEM]

6. Well that sounds about right.

[monmouth3]

7. 90 days may have changed this brat's attitude..n/t

[Lex]

8. The judge showed restraint even with that.

Maybe everything will stop being a big joke to that young lady.

[Rowdyboy]

9. But, but, but...the world revolves around her-she's the center of the universe isn't she?

She earned her 30 days-hope she enjoys them.

[TheCowsCameHome]

10. She should stopp bidding - she already won the jackpot

What a dope.

[thelordofhell]

11. video

[leftynyc]

12. There's a lively discussion

on this right here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022319413

[Comrade Grumpy]

13. She shouldn't even have been arrested in the first place.

Drug possession?

And what an impressive judge. Doubles her bond on a whim. Ah, the power of the bench.

[Comrade Grumpy]

14. Wow, DU's authoritarians loves 'em some punishment.

[hamsterjill]

15. Sure seems that way, doesn't it?

I'm actually not sure what to think about this.

Should the girl have behaved like that toward the judge? Absolutely not.

But if you watch the video, I think the possibility exists that the girl was not "drug free". She appeared a little "goofy" to me (for lack of a better word) from the start of the video.

And I would rather have seen the punishment be community service than days in jail. I always think that jail should be reserved for offenders who are a threat to society and should be removed from society, with community service being a more fitting punishment for those that are not a threat.

The video does not show counsel but there are vocal exchanges that can be heard between someone and the judge. I'm betting that we've not heard the last of this case...

[Lex]

16. Sometime punishment is called for.

Simple as that.