Judge Stays Firm About His Decision in Sex Offender Case

A Vermont judge who was widely criticized after he sentenced a convicted sex criminal to only two months in jail stays steadfast about his decision.

District Court Judge Edward Cashman claims the case allowed him to stay firm in his belief that the ruling was legal and that criminal sentences should focus on more than just punishment.

Although he was berated by legislators and the media for imposing the minimum sentence of two months on Mark Hulett—convicted of sexually assaulting a young girl— Cashman says that this punishment was the best way to ensure the offender got the proper treatment he needed.

“I think one of the risks a judge has to take is knowing that when you make a difficult decision it very well may be misunderstood,” Cashman said. “And then comes the real hard part: You gotta remain quiet.”

After Cashman’s ruling, Vermont corrections officials altered their policy for offering treatment to sex offenders in prison, prompting the judge to add three-years to the sentence.

Last month, the state judicial conduct board ruled that Cashman’s original sentence was both ethical and legal.

“I feel very fortunate,” Cahsman said. “I look at it as the highlight of my career…That you could stand up for something that was right.”

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