Teen Who Flipped Off Judge Enters Not Guilty Plea To Drug Charge
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The South Florida teen who was jailed for a brief time after flipping off a Miami-Dade judge during a bond court hearing was back in court Monday for her arraignment.
The attorney for Penelope Soto, 18, entered a written not guilty plea on a drug possession charge.
Earlier this month, Soto was ordered to complete a drug court program. Her attorney said she has been clean and has been following the program.
Her next court day is March 27th.
Soto made national headlines and video from her first bond court appearance went viral after she flipped off Circuit Judge Jorge Rodriguez-Chomat and told him, "Go (expletive) yourself!" in response to the judge raising her bond from $5,000 to $10,000.
The judge then charged her with contempt of court and ordered her to serve 30 days in jail.
A few days later, Soto apologized to the judge, saying she was under the influence of Xanax and alcohol when she made the obscene gesture.
Following her apology, the judge dropped her contempt of court charge and vacated her 30-day jail term.
Soto was originally arrested for possession of Xanax.
