A mother and father are speaking out tonight about the sentence handed down for the man convicted of sexually assaulting their 14-year old daughter-- not prison.. but probation.

Orlando Paul Cisneros was convicted on 17 counts.

Today -- a judge suspended the recommended sentence of nearly 13 years in prison... and instead, put him on three years probation.

The Burlison family felt that justice was not done in this case, and that Cisneros should see prison time.

They also feel another case sheds some light -- and concern -- on the judge who made the decision.

Michael Burlison made an emotional statement in court today on behalf of his daughter.

Little did he know, the man convicted of raping her would see no prison time.

The sentence comes from Judge Matthew Dowd -- just yesterday, he made a similar decision in the case of Federico Mendoza -- suspending a 12-year prison sentence for soliciting sex from who he thought was a young girl online... placing him on three years probation also.

Cisneros' attorney Cindy Sewell said in a statement that judge Dowd was the only person who saw, heard and evaluated all of the evidence in the case.

The family doesn't accept that.

Meanwhile, the victim is emotional over the whole situation.

The family says they'll appeal the case -- but believe any change in the sentence is unlikely.

We left a message for Judge Dowd -- he did not return the call.