[kidd]

I think the problem here is mandatory sentencing.

This man's liberty has been deprived by due process of law (an artifact of his burglary convictions), and is therefore Constitutional.

However, I would argue that the punishment is a violation of the 8th ammendment (cruel and unusual punishment). A warning/reminder would have been appropriate, not 15 years in prison.

[CFW]

I think the problem here is mandatory sentencing.

I agree. The judge even said he didn't want to give him that sentence. Unfortunately mandatory sentencing forced him to. I think all circumstances of "the crime" should be considered and the sentence should properly reflect those circumstances.