U.S. District Judge Rodney Webb breathed a sigh of relief when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down mandatory sentencing ranges in January.

The congressional mandates reduced judges to "whipping boys" who had little discretion in sentencing criminals, Webb said Wednesday.

"It just galls me that someone would suggest they know more about handling a case before me," he said.

But recent statements by U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales show that the struggle between Congress and the judicial branch is far from over, Webb said.

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