BURLINGTON, Vt. -- A Vermont judge is receiving harsh criticism for sentencing a man to 60 days in prison for molesting a girl, now 10, for four years.

Judge Edward Cashman said he issued the light sentence because the defendant, Mark Hulett 34, could not receive sex offender treatment while in prison.

Under Cashman's sentence, Hulett must undergo treatment once he is released, and will be under state supervision. If he fails to meet the terms in the sentence, he could be sent back to prison for up to 10 years for aggravated sexual assault.

In a 14-page memorandum, Cashman said that he's come under attack and said he's stung by the negative phone calls and e-mails he's received.

"I am aware that the intensity of some public criticism may shorten my judicial career," he wrote. "To change my decision now, however, simply because of some negative sentiment, would be wrong. I owe it to the judiciary and to my own conscience to maintain a stand that I believe is the best possible option in a very difficult situation."

The court, he wrote, maximized the long-term public safety protection at the cost of what now appears as being "soft" on child molesters.

The victim's family is outraged by Cashman's ruling. About 40 lawmakers now want him off the bench and have signed a resolution urging Cashman to step down. The resolution was expected to be introduced Wednesday.

Meanwhile, about 200 residents have signed a petition asking for Cashman's resignation.