James Taylor

Correspondent

James Taylor

Capitol Hill correspondent, covers legislative and political stories.

Criminal Justice

Decisions covered by James Taylor

2,517 decisions
Apr 27 2026
11th Cir. 1:23-cr-20385-CMA-2 Per Curiam

United States v. Henriquez

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed drug trafficking convictions under the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act, rejecting challenges that the statute lacks constitutional authority over offenses in foreign Exclusive Economic Zones. The court held that the vessel was subject to U.S. jurisdiction because the master failed to claim nationality, and that foreign cooperation does not strip American courts of authority.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
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Apr 27 2026
4th Cir. 25-4402 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. DESHAWN STEPHONE HESTER

The Fourth Circuit affirmed Deshawn Stephone Hester's conviction for firearm possession by a felon while dismissing his appeal regarding sentence reasonableness due to a valid appellate waiver. The court found the district court's Rule 11 colloquy sufficient to establish that Hester's guilty plea was voluntary and that his waiver of appeal rights was knowingly entered.

Criminal Firearms
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Apr 27 2026
1st Cir. 25-1291 Panel Decision

ARTHUR MILES v. WARDEN FREDDIE BOWERS

The First Circuit vacated the dismissal of Arthur Miles' habeas petition, ruling that the Bureau of Prisons cannot deny First Step Act time credits for work performed in a county jail prior to transfer to a federal facility. The court held that the BOP's regulations contradicting the statutory definition of when a sentence commences are invalid and that a risk assessment is not a prerequisite for earning credits.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241)
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Apr 27 2026
10th Cir. 1:22-CR-00092-HCN-1) Panel Decision

United States v. Rangel

The Tenth Circuit affirmed Michael Anthony Rangel's conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm, rejecting his Second Amendment challenge. The court held that binding precedent remains unchanged following recent Supreme Court decisions, meaning the statute's constitutionality stands.

Criminal Firearms
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Apr 27 2026
10th Cir. 1:22-CR-00092-HCN-1 Panel Decision

United States v. Rangel

The Tenth Circuit affirmed the conviction of Michael Anthony Rangel for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The court held that existing precedent upholding the constitutionality of the federal statute remains binding despite recent Supreme Court guidance.

Criminal Firearms
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Apr 27 2026
11th Cir. 1:23-cr-20385-CMA-2 Per Curiam

United States v. Henriquez

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed convictions under the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act for drug trafficking within a foreign nation's exclusive economic zone. The court rejected challenges regarding subject-matter jurisdiction, the vessel's nationality, and due process violations.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
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Apr 27 2026
10th Cir. 4:24-CR-00137-GKF-1) Panel Decision

United States v. Petro

The Tenth Circuit reversed Thomas Petro's conviction because the prosecutor's closing argument improperly declared that the defendant's presumption of innocence had been removed before deliberations began. The court held that these remarks, combined with the presentation of a nude photo, unfairly shifted the burden of proof and prejudiced the jury's impartiality.

Criminal Other Criminal
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