James Taylor

Correspondent

James Taylor

Capitol Hill correspondent, covers legislative and political stories.

Criminal Justice

Decisions covered by James Taylor

2,485 decisions
Apr 9 2026
9th Cir. 4:22-cr-00766-JGZ-AMM-1 Unpublished

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. SANTOS NAUL MASS-SOTO

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the conviction of a defendant charged with illegal reentry, ruling that the district court did not commit plain error by failing to order a competency exam sua sponte. The court further held that the district court acted properly in removing the defendant from the courtroom after he repeatedly disrupted proceedings despite warnings.

Criminal Immigration (Criminal)
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Apr 8 2026
11th Cir. 0:19-cr-60129-RAR-1 Unpublished

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. NIGEL RICHSON

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed Nigel Richardson's convictions for Hobbs Act robbery and firearm offenses, rejecting challenges to the sufficiency of evidence and the indictment's Grand Jury Clause compliance. The court held that Hobbs Act robbery remains a crime of violence under the elements clause and that the indictment's language adequately alleged knowledge of Richardson's felon status.

Criminal Firearms
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Apr 8 2026
10th Cir. 5:21-CR-00028-F-1) Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. JOHN MIGUEL SWAN

The Tenth Circuit affirmed John Miguel Swan's conviction and 120-month sentence for possessing ammunition as a convicted felon. The court held that Swan's Second Amendment challenge was barred by the law-of-the-case doctrine and that the district court did not abuse its discretion in imposing an upward variance based on his history of domestic violence.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Sentencing Guidelines Sixth Amendment - Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
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Apr 8 2026
10th Cir. 1:26-CV-00053-RTG Panel Decision

Emrit v. Snoop Doggy Dogg

The Tenth Circuit affirmed the district court's order denying the plaintiff leave to proceed in forma pauperis. The court held that the appellant failed to meet his burden because his brief addressed the merits of the underlying case rather than explaining why the district court erred.

Civil Other Civil
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Apr 8 2026
9th Cir. 2:22-cr-00597-RGK-1 Unpublished

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. JOSE MANUEL PEREZ

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the denial of a defendant's second request for substitute counsel but reversed the denial of a third request due to the district court's failure to conduct a required inquiry. The court also vacated the defendant's sentence because the district court incorrectly applied the Sentencing Guidelines regarding what constitutes a crime of violence.

Criminal Firearms Sentencing Guidelines
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Apr 8 2026
8th Cir. 25-2338 Panel Decision

United States v. Robertson

The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has issued an opinion in the case of United States v. Robertson. Judgment has been entered in accordance with the court's decision.

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Apr 8 2026
9th Cir. 3:19-cr-00226-RS-13 Unpublished

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. TIMOTHY PEOPLES

The Ninth Circuit affirmed Timothy Peoples' cocaine trafficking conviction, ruling that any error in excluding evidence of a police officer's misconduct was harmless given the overwhelming evidence of guilt. The court further held that the district court did not abuse its discretion in instructing the jury that the evidence was legally obtained.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
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Apr 8 2026
5th Cir. 25-10996 Per Curiam

United States v. Ruiz

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted a motion by the Federal Public Defender 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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