James Taylor

Correspondent

James Taylor

Capitol Hill correspondent, covers legislative and political stories.

Criminal Justice

Decisions covered by James Taylor

2,517 decisions
Apr 28 2026
11th Cir. 8:97-cr-00082-RAL-SPF-1 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. HAROLD THORNTON

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the denial of Harold Thornton's third motion for compassionate release, ruling that the district court did not abuse its discretion in finding Thornton dangerous to the community. The court held that Thornton's extensive violent history and ongoing threats to prison officials satisfied the statutory requirements to deny sentence reduction.

Compassionate Release Criminal Robbery & Extortion
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Apr 28 2026
5th Cir. 25-40384 Per Curiam

United States v. Lubiano-Vidales

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted a motion to withdraw counsel and dismissed the appeal. The court found that the appointed attorney properly filed a brief under Anders v. California showing no nonfrivolous issues for review.

Anders Brief Criminal
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Apr 28 2026
11th Cir. 1:24-cr-00050-SDG-RDC-1 Per Curiam

United States v. Byner

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed Brandon Byner's 540-month sentence for producing and possessing child sexual abuse material, ruling that the district court did not abuse its discretion. The appellate court held that the severity of the crimes and the need to protect vulnerable victims justified the lengthy term despite the defendant's history of abuse.

Child Sexual Abuse Material Criminal
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Apr 28 2026
4th Cir. 25-6963 Per Curiam

TONY BRYAN SMITH v. COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

The Fourth Circuit denied a certificate of appealability and dismissed Tony Bryan Smith's habeas appeal because he failed to meet the statutory requirements for challenging a procedural dismissal. The court found that Smith did not demonstrate that the district court's ruling on the successive nature of his petition was debatable or that he substantially showed a denial of a constitutional right.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - State Prisoner (28 USC 2254)
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Apr 28 2026
11th Cir. 3:23-cr-00064-TKW-1 Per Curiam

United States v. Beck

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the drug conspiracy and possession convictions of Philip Beck, Florence Beck, and Joshua Martinez, rejecting challenges to evidence admission and sentencing. The court held that the defendants' confrontation and evidentiary objections were either unpreserved or lacked merit under controlling precedent.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
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Apr 27 2026
5th Cir. 25-11118 Per Curiam

United States v. Coulson

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted a motion by appointed counsel to withdraw from representing the defendant. The court dismissed the appeal after finding no nonfrivolous issues for appellate review.

Anders Brief Criminal
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