James Taylor

Correspondent

James Taylor

Capitol Hill correspondent, covers legislative and political stories.

Criminal Justice

Decisions covered by James Taylor

1,506 decisions
Mar 11 2026
11th Cir. 1:25-cv-04706-ELR Per Curiam

AHMED I. ISSA v. WARDEN, SMITH STATE PRISON CHARLES MEEMS

The Eleventh Circuit dismissed Ahmed Issa's habeas appeal sua sponte because he filed his notice of appeal before the district court adopted the magistrate judge's report and recommendation. The court held that a magistrate's recommendation is not a final judgment until adopted, and a premature appeal cannot be cured by the district court's subsequent action.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241)
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Mar 11 2026
1st Cir. 24-1297 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. JACOB PARLIN

The First Circuit affirmed Jacob Parlin's conviction for drug distribution and conspiracy, ruling that any error in admitting a police officer's lay testimony regarding drug quantities was harmless. The court held that wiretapped conversations and the sheer volume of methamphetamine provided sufficient evidence of intent to distribute independent of the officer's testimony.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
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Mar 11 2026
11th Cir. 1:24-cr-00011-AW-MAL-1 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. BRYAN JOSEPH BOWDEN

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed a 144-month prison sentence for drug trafficking and felon-in-possession offenses, rejecting the defendant's claim that the sentence was substantively unreasonable. The court held that the district court properly weighed the defendant's extensive history of domestic violence and drug recidivism under the abuse-of-discretion standard.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
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Mar 11 2026
10th Cir. 5:23-CR-00051-R-1) Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. AKIN ZHON WOFFORD

The Tenth Circuit affirmed Akin Zhon Wofford's conviction for armed bank robbery and firearm possession, rejecting his claim that jury instructions improperly relieved the government of its burden of proof. The court held that the challenged instruction, when read in the context of all jury directions, did not mislead the jury or violate the defendant's Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights.

Criminal Firearms
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Mar 11 2026
10th Cir. 2:24-CR-01062-MIS-1) Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. GUSTAVO ZAMORA-GUERRA

The Tenth Circuit affirmed a twenty-four-month prison sentence for illegal reentry, ruling that the district court did not abuse its discretion in imposing an upward variance. The appellate court held that the lower court provided compelling reasons for the sentence based on the defendant's repeated violations and history of extreme cruelty to animals.

Criminal Immigration (Criminal) Sentencing Guidelines
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Mar 11 2026
10th Cir. 5:24-CR-00250-PRW-1 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. MALYK JAJUAN RANSBURG

The Tenth Circuit dismissed Malyk Jajuan Ransburg's appeal because he signed a valid plea agreement containing an enforceable waiver of his right to appeal. The court held that the government did not breach the plea agreement by failing to support a downward sentencing adjustment, as Ransburg's false denial of relevant conduct precluded him from receiving that benefit.

Criminal Firearms
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Mar 11 2026
8th Cir. 25-2843 Panel Decision

United States of America v. Jeffrey Alan Bradley

The Eighth Circuit affirmed a district court order directing the Bureau of Prisons to transfer funds from a defendant's inmate trust account to satisfy a restitution obligation. The appellate court held that the district court did not abuse its discretion because the amount ordered matched the figure the defendant himself suggested in a prior motion.

Criminal Other Criminal
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