James Taylor

Correspondent

James Taylor

Capitol Hill correspondent, covers legislative and political stories.

Criminal Justice

Decisions covered by James Taylor

1,493 decisions
Dec 30 2024
9th Cir. 9:21-cr-00029- Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. MICHAEL BLAKE DEFRANCE

The Ninth Circuit reversed Michael Blake DeFrance's conviction for possessing a firearm as a convicted domestic abuser because his prior state offense did not legally require physical force. The court held that Montana's assault statute is too broad to qualify as a predicate offense under federal law because it can be violated by inflicting emotional distress alone.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Firearms
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Dec 30 2024
2nd Cir. 23-793 Per Curiam

Carroll v. Trump

The Second Circuit affirmed the $5 million judgment against Donald Trump, ruling that the district court properly admitted evidence of prior sexual misconduct and a 2005 recording under Federal Rules of Evidence 415 and 404(b). The court held that Trump failed to demonstrate any reversible error or that such rulings affected his substantial rights, thereby denying his request for a new trial.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241)
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Dec 20 2024
9th Cir. 3:23-cv-00850-IM 2-1

ANDREW CHARLES NISBET v. SPIRIT ROSE BRIDGER

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the denial of a father's petition to return his two young children to Scotland under the Hague Convention. The court held that the children lacked a habitual residence in Scotland because their mother never intended to settle there and the children lacked meaningful social ties to the country.

Criminal Violent Crimes
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Dec 20 2024
2nd Cir. 22-2652 Panel Decision

United States v. Torres

The Second Circuit affirmed convictions for RICO conspiracy and related firearm offenses against three Rollin' 30s Crips leaders, rejecting challenges to evidence sufficiency and jury instructions. The court dismissed one defendant's appeal regarding a sentencing departure for lack of jurisdiction, leaving his 288-month prison term intact.

Criminal Firearms
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Dec 20 2024
2nd Cir. 22-2976 Panel Decision

United States v. Torres

The Second Circuit affirmed RICO and firearm convictions for three Rollin' 30s Crips leaders, rejecting claims of insufficient evidence and trial errors. The court dismissed one defendant's sentencing appeal for lack of jurisdiction while upholding the remaining judgments.

Criminal Firearms
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Dec 20 2024
2nd Cir. 22-2527 Panel Decision

United States v. Torres

The Second Circuit affirmed the convictions of three Rollin' 30s Crips members for racketeering and firearms offenses, finding the evidence sufficient to support the jury's verdicts. The court dismissed one defendant's appeal regarding a sentencing departure for lack of jurisdiction due to a missed filing deadline.

Criminal Firearms
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Dec 10 2024
2nd Cir. 23-763 Panel Decision

Phhhoto Inc. v. Meta Platforms, Inc.

The Second Circuit reversed a dismissal of an antitrust claim against Meta, holding that the plaintiff adequately alleged fraudulent concealment to equitably toll the statute of limitations. The court found that Meta's public statements about its algorithmic feed and the inherently self-concealing nature of the suppression scheme prevented the plaintiff from discovering the claim until October 2017.

Criminal Embezzlement & Forgery Statute of Limitations
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Dec 2 2024
9th Cir. 1:23-cv-00323-DKG Published

LOURDES MATSUMOTO; NORTHWEST ABORTION ACCESS FUND; INDIGENOUS IDAHO ALLIANCE v. RAUL LABRADOR, in his capacity as the Attorney General for the State of Idaho

The Ninth Circuit affirmed a preliminary injunction against Idaho's 'recruiting' prong of its abortion trafficking statute, ruling it unconstitutionally overbroad under the First Amendment. However, the court reversed the injunction regarding the 'harboring' and 'transporting' provisions, finding those terms cover non-expressive conduct unlikely to violate the Constitution.

Criminal Sex Offenses
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