[sakoht]

Sentences that are too short, or too long, are both a byproduct of a lack of latitude on the part of the judge to apply reason and common sense. Our system a judge's "bias", but then end we up with a bureaucracy instead of a human who can see nuance.

Mandatory minimum sentences have the same effect. The prosecutor uses the fear of the sentence to get a guilty plea and negotiates a plea bargain. This means people who should have gotten a fair trial in front of a judge and a jury are scared into pleaing guilty and letting the prosecutor decide how much time they will do by framing the plea offer. We bother to have judges to prevent this stuff, and should use them.

Mandatory minimum sentences have the same effect