Correspondent

James Taylor

Capitol Hill correspondent, covers legislative and political stories.

Criminal Justice

Decisions covered by James Taylor

1,506 decisions

Mar 19 2026

5th Cir. 25-10554 Per Curiam

United States v. Easley

The Fifth Circuit affirmed the revocation of Calvin Easley's supervised release, holding that the district court did not abuse its discretion in finding he violated a mandatory condition by assaulting a pregnant person. The court concluded that viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the government, a reasonable trier of fact could find it more likely than not that Easley committed the assault under Texas law.

Criminal Sentencing Guidelines

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Mar 19 2026

5th Cir. 25-11058 Per Curiam

United States v. Lee

The Fifth Circuit granted the Federal Public Defender's motion to withdraw from representing Kelvin Todd Lee after finding no nonfrivolous issues for appeal. Consequently, the court dismissed the defendant's criminal appeal.

Anders Brief Criminal

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Mar 19 2026

8th Cir. 25-1829 Panel Decision

Antonio Strong v. United States of America

The Eighth Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of summary judgment in a pro se Federal Tort Claims Act action alleging medical negligence. The court held that under Arkansas law, the plaintiff failed to provide the necessary expert testimony to establish the standard of care and proximate cause for his alleged medical injury.

Civil Other Civil Summary Judgment

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Mar 19 2026

11th Cir. 0:24-cv-62261-WPD Per Curiam

Mencia v. United States

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the denial of a federal prisoner's motion to vacate his conviction, ruling that his statute of limitations argument lacked legal merit. Although the district court failed to address a specific timeliness claim, the appellate court determined a remand was unnecessary because the claim would fail regardless.

Constitutional Drug Trafficking Habeas Corpus - Federal Prisoner (28 USC 2255) Statute of Limitations

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Mar 19 2026

11th Cir. 1:23-cv-24738-wfjg Per Curiam

Raziel Ofer v. Laurel M. Isicoff

The Eleventh Circuit dismissed an appeal sua sponte because the district court's order denying a motion to stay pending recusal was not a final judgment. The court held that the order was not immediately appealable under the injunction statute or the collateral order doctrine.

Appellate Jurisdiction Civil Other Civil

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Mar 19 2026

11th Cir. 1:25-cv-00559-VMC Panel Decision

Orlando Jefferson v. The State

The Eleventh Circuit dismissed the appeal regarding the April 2, 2025 judgment because the notice of appeal was filed well past the statutory deadline. However, the court retained jurisdiction over the appeal concerning the December 31, 2025 post-judgment order, which was filed within the allowable time limit.

Appellate Jurisdiction Constitutional Habeas Corpus - State Prisoner (28 USC 2254)

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Mar 19 2026

5th Cir. 25-50976 Per Curiam

United States v. Burger

The Fifth Circuit reversed a district court's dismissal of an indictment charging a Roblox user with transmitting threats in interstate commerce. The appellate court held that determining whether online statements constitute unprotected true threats requires a trial to resolve disputed factual questions about context and intent.

Criminal Firearms

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Mar 19 2026

8th Cir. 25-1269 Panel Decision

United States of America v. Oscar Navarro-Zepeda

The Eighth Circuit affirmed Oscar Navarro-Zepeda's conviction and 204-month sentence for drug trafficking and firearm possession. The court held that the defendant's waiver of Federal Rule of Evidence 410 allowed the government to use plea stipulations against him after he contradicted them during the change-of-plea hearing.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Firearms

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Mar 19 2026

Fed. Cir. 26-1249 Panel Decision

Peter J. Polinski v. United States

The Federal Circuit summarily affirmed the dismissal of a pro se appeal challenging the United States Treasury's handling of a $36 million check. The court held that the Tucker Act does not grant jurisdiction over tort claims or most constitutional allegations, and found the appellant's arguments implausible and frivolous.

Criminal Embezzlement & Forgery

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Mar 19 2026

6th Cir. 25-3661 Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ANDREW GOLOBIC

The Sixth Circuit affirmed the conviction and 144-month sentence of Andrew Golobic, an ICE agent who used his authority to coerce sexual encounters with immigrants under his supervision. The court rejected all challenges regarding jury management, multiplicity of charges, and sentencing enhancements, clarifying that obstruction enhancements apply to pre-investigation conduct.

Child Sexual Abuse Material Criminal Fifth Amendment - Double Jeopardy Sentencing Guidelines

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