James Taylor

Correspondent

James Taylor

Capitol Hill correspondent, covers legislative and political stories.

Criminal Justice

Decisions covered by James Taylor

2,517 decisions
Apr 29 2026
11th Cir. 9:05-cr-80107-DPG-1 Per Curiam

United States v. Dixon

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of Derek Dixon's motion for a sentence reduction under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2), ruling that the trial court properly exercised its discretion to reject the request despite a lowered guideline range. The appellate court found no abuse of discretion given the extreme violence of Dixon's crimes and his prior agreement that the maximum term was reasonable under § 3553(a).

Compassionate Release Constitutional Habeas Corpus - Federal Prisoner (28 USC 2255) Sentencing Guidelines
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Apr 29 2026
1st Cir. 25-1354 Panel Decision

SANDRA NATASHA ST. JOHN v. ANDREA JOY CAMPBELL

The First Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a habeas corpus petition filed by a deported individual, holding that federal jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 requires the petitioner to be in custody of state authorities at the time of filing. Because the petitioner had been deported to Trinidad and Tobago before filing her claim, she failed to satisfy the statutory custody requirement.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241) Habeas Corpus - State Prisoner (28 USC 2254)
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Apr 29 2026
11th Cir. 1:09-cr-00029-JB-B-1 Per Curiam

United States v. Laphonse Young

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the revocation of Laphonse Young's supervised release, holding that the district court retained jurisdiction under 18 U.S.C. § 3583(i) because a warrant was issued before the term expired. The court rejected Young's arguments regarding hearsay evidence and the opportunity to object, finding no reversible error in the district court's proceedings.

Criminal Supervised Release
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Apr 29 2026
11th Cir. 4:23-cr-00015-WMR-JHR-3 Per Curiam

United States v. Mendoza Plancarte

The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit granted the Government's motion to dismiss an appeal filed by Uriel Mendoza Plancarte. The court enforced an appeal waiver contained within the defendant's plea agreement.

Criminal Other Criminal
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Apr 29 2026
11th Cir. 2:25-cr-00208-RAH-KFP-1 Per Curiam

United States v. Lowery

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed Undray Lamond Lowery's 120-month sentence for felon-in-possession of a firearm, rejecting claims that the sentence was procedurally or substantively unreasonable. The court held that even if the district court erred in applying a four-level sentencing enhancement, the sentence remained reasonable because it fell well below the statutory maximum and the record reflected a proper consideration of the statutory factors.

Criminal Firearms Sentencing Guidelines
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Apr 29 2026
10th Cir. 4:25-CV-00206-JDR-JFJ Panel Decision

Winn, et al. v. Wakat, et al.

The Tenth Circuit affirmed the remand of civil and criminal cases to state court because the appellant failed to prove he acted under color of federal office. The court held that without satisfying the statutory requirements for federal officer removal, the federal district court lacked jurisdiction to retain the matters.

Civil Real Property
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Apr 29 2026
10th Cir. 5:09-CR-40049-KHV-1) Panel Decision

United States v. Crosby

The Tenth Circuit affirmed the denial of Gregory Crosby's motion for compassionate release because he failed to adequately challenge the district court's finding that he did not exhaust administrative remedies. The court also held that the district court lacked jurisdiction to order a transfer to a residential re-entry facility.

Compassionate Release Criminal
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Apr 29 2026
10th Cir. 6:24-CR-00121-RAW-1) Panel Decision

United States v. Freeman

The Tenth Circuit affirmed Jerry Lana Freeman's 224-month sentence, ruling that the district court did not clearly err in relying on co-conspirator statements to calculate drug quantity. The court held that the Presentence Report's eight-kilogram estimate was supported by sufficient evidence, including the defendant's own admissions and corroborating testimony.

Criminal Sentencing Guidelines
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