James Taylor

Correspondent

James Taylor

Capitol Hill correspondent, covers legislative and political stories.

Criminal Justice

Decisions covered by James Taylor

2,484 decisions
Mar 26 2026
11th Cir. 6:24-cr-00211-PGB-NWH-1 Per Curiam

United States v. Nickens

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed a 36-month prison sentence for wire fraud, rejecting the defendant's claim that the district court abused its discretion by imposing an upward variance based on his extensive criminal history. The court held that the sentencing judge properly weighed the defendant's history of fraud and uncharged conduct alongside the seriousness of the offense and the need for public protection.

Criminal Fraud
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Mar 26 2026
4th Cir. 25-7041 Per Curiam

Torrean v. Washington

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit dismissed an appeal filed by a state prisoner challenging the timeliness of his habeas corpus petition. The court denied a certificate of appealability because the petitioner failed to demonstrate that the procedural ruling was debatable or that his claim of a constitutional right was substantial.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - State Prisoner (28 USC 2254) Statute of Limitations
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Mar 26 2026
4th Cir. 25-6761 Per Curiam

United States v. Vines

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of a sentence reduction motion filed by Albert Vines. The appellate court found no abuse of discretion in the lower court's determination that the defendant's mitigating arguments were outweighed by statutory sentencing factors.

Compassionate Release Criminal Sentencing Guidelines
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Mar 26 2026
Fed. Cir. 26-1529 Panel Decision

Michelle L. Adams v. United States

The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit dismissed an appeal filed by Michelle L. Adams against the United States. The dismissal was granted by mutual agreement of the parties under the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure.

Civil Other Civil
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Mar 26 2026
10th Cir. 4:24-CR-00397-GKF-2) Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. MARCOS JAVIER SUAZO-MANCILLA

The Tenth Circuit enforced a defendant's appeal waiver contained in his plea agreement after he failed to file a response despite multiple extensions. The court determined that the appeal fell within the waiver's scope, the waiver was knowingly and voluntarily made, and enforcing it would not result in a miscarriage of justice.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
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Mar 26 2026
4th Cir. 24-4298 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ANTHONY P. SPENCER

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the revocation of Anthony P. Spencer's supervised release, ruling that certified state court documents were sufficient evidence of a violation even without a separate determination of guilt. The court held that Spencer failed to preserve his objection to the evidence, triggering a plain error standard that he could not meet.

Criminal Firearms Plain Error Review
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