James Taylor

Correspondent

James Taylor

Capitol Hill correspondent, covers legislative and political stories.

Criminal Justice

Decisions covered by James Taylor

1,506 decisions
Mar 17 2026
4th Cir. 25-6957 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. KENNETH ROSHAUN REID

The Fourth Circuit dismissed the portion of Kenneth Roshaun Reid's appeal that challenged the validity of his convictions because it functioned as an unauthorized successive habeas petition. The court affirmed the district court's denial of his motion to reduce his sentence under Sentencing Guidelines Amendment 826, finding no reversible error in the lower court's handling of the statutory sentencing issue.

Compassionate Release Constitutional Habeas Corpus - Federal Prisoner (28 USC 2255) Sentencing Guidelines
Read summary →
Mar 17 2026
4th Cir. 25-6762 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. MICHAEL JEROME ORR

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of Michael Jerome Orr's motion for compassionate release, finding no abuse of discretion. The appellate court upheld the lower court's decision to deny relief after weighing the statutory sentencing factors, even though it previously acknowledged Orr met the threshold for extraordinary and compelling reasons.

Compassionate Release Criminal
Read summary →
Mar 17 2026
5th Cir. 25-20148 Per Curiam

United States v. Barlow

The Fifth Circuit affirmed the denial of Douglas Lee Barlow's motion for compassionate release, finding no abuse of discretion in the district court's weighing of sentencing factors. The court further held that defendants seeking sentence reductions under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A)(i) have no constitutional or statutory right to appointed counsel.

Compassionate Release Criminal
Read summary →
Mar 17 2026
4th Cir. 25-6593 Per Curiam

ARKEEM H. NELLON v. LESLIE COOLEY-DISMUKES

The Fourth Circuit dismissed Arkeem H. Nellon's appeal from a district court's procedural dismissal of his habeas petition because he failed to obtain a certificate of appealability. The court independently reviewed the record and found Nellon did not make the requisite substantial showing that the procedural ruling was debatable or that his underlying claim involved a constitutional right.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - State Prisoner (28 USC 2254) Statute of Limitations
Read summary →
Mar 17 2026
3rd Cir. 25-1508 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. RASHEED HARGROVE

The Third Circuit affirmed the District Court's denial of Rasheed Hargrove's motion for a sentence reduction under the First Step Act. The appellate court found no abuse of discretion, noting the lower court properly considered Hargrove's arguments regarding historical sentencing inequities.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
Read summary →
Mar 17 2026
4th Cir. 25-6911 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. RESHOD JAMAR EVERETT

The Fourth Circuit dismissed Reshod Jamar Everett's appeal from the denial of his federal habeas corpus motion because he failed to obtain a certificate of appealability. The court independently reviewed the record and found that Everett did not make the requisite showing that reasonable jurists could find the district court's assessment of his constitutional claims debatable.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - Federal Prisoner (28 USC 2255)
Read summary →
Mar 17 2026
4th Cir. 24-4178 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ETHAN D. DELAUDER

The Fourth Circuit affirmed Ethan D. Delauder's conviction for possessing a firearm after a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction, rejecting his Second Amendment challenge. The court held that his facial challenge was foreclosed by precedent and his as-applied challenge was waived for failure to develop the argument.

Criminal Firearms
Read summary →