James Taylor

Correspondent

James Taylor

Capitol Hill correspondent, covers legislative and political stories.

Criminal Justice

Decisions covered by James Taylor

1,506 decisions
Feb 17 2026
United States Court… 24-5276 Panel Decision

PATRICK LENZ, DR., EXECUTOR OF THE ESTATE OF HARRY S. STONEHILL v. INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE

The D.C. Circuit affirmed the denial of a motion to vacate a 2008 FOIA judgment, ruling that the movant failed to prove fraud on the court by clear and convincing evidence. The court also upheld the lower court's decision to treat the motion as untimely under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 60(b)(3).

Civil FOIA Summary Judgment Tax (Civil)
Read summary →
Feb 17 2026
7th Cir. 24-2577 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. MONISHA RHODES

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the denial of Monisha Rhodes's motion for compassionate release, ruling that statutory sentencing factors weighed against relief despite her caregiving circumstances. The court held that the district court properly considered her extensive criminal history and the need to protect the public from further crimes.

Compassionate Release Criminal Drug Trafficking Supervised Release
Read summary →
Feb 11 2026
9th Cir. 3:12-cr-03617-CAB-1 Unpublished

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ISSAC SYMEON BRAGG

The Ninth Circuit affirmed a district court's supervised release conditions, rejecting claims that a prohibition on loitering in prostitution areas was unconstitutionally vague. The court also upheld a condition requiring sex offender treatment, finding the delegation of authority to a treatment provider to determine necessity was constitutionally permissible.

Criminal Supervised Release
Read summary →
Feb 11 2026
11th Cir. 8:20-cv-00936-KKM-AAS Published

O'Neal v. American Shaman Franchise Systems, Inc.

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a franchisee's fraudulent transfer claims, holding that a settlement agreement barring non-FLSA claims remains enforceable even if the FLSA claims within it lacked required court approval. The court clarified that while the Fair Labor Standards Act mandates judicial or Department of Labor oversight for wage claims, state contract law governs the release of all other claims settled in the same agreement.

Civil Labor
Read summary →
Feb 10 2026
7th Cir. 25-1101 Panel Decision

THOMAS EDWARD MARTIN v. JOHN R. GREENWOOD and MARY JO STVAN

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a former employer's civil rights and state-law claims while modifying the dismissal of his interpleader claim to be without prejudice. The court held that the plaintiff's claims were barred by the statute of limitations, the Rooker-Feldman doctrine, or a lack of subject-matter jurisdiction.

Civil Rights - Section 1983 Criminal Fraud Qualified Immunity
Read summary →
Feb 10 2026
7th Cir. 22-3278 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. EUNICE D. SALLEY

The Seventh Circuit affirmed Eunice Salley's conviction, ruling that her waiver of the right to counsel was knowing and voluntary despite her insistence on self-representation. The court rejected her appeal, finding no error in the district court's allowance of her pro se status while appointing stand-by counsel.

Criminal Fraud
Read summary →
Feb 10 2026
7th Cir. 25-1015 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ERIK HARBIN

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the revocation of Erik Harbin's supervised release and his 15-month prison sentence, rejecting his claim that the district court improperly relied on his original offense's seriousness. The court held that the district judge's references to the original crime were permissible context for a breach-of-trust rationale rather than prohibited retribution.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Sentencing Guidelines Supervised Release
Read summary →
Feb 10 2026
11th Cir. 1:22-cr-00028-LAG-TQL-1 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. TOMARIO RICARDO HICKS

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed Tomario Hicks's 180-month sentence for being a felon in possession of a firearm, ruling that his prior marijuana convictions qualified as predicate offenses under the Armed Career Criminal Act. The court also rejected Hicks's Second Amendment challenge, holding that binding precedent prohibits felons from possessing firearms regardless of recent Supreme Court rulings.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
Read summary →
Feb 10 2026
11th Cir. 1:22-cr-00060-MLB-RGV-1 Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. MALACHI MULLINGS

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the denial of Malachi Mullings's motion to withdraw his guilty plea, rejecting his claim that his attorney coerced him into pleading. The court also upheld his 120-month sentence, finding no procedural or substantive unreasonableness in the district court's application of sentencing enhancements.

Criminal Fraud Money Laundering Sentencing Guidelines
Read summary →