James Taylor

Correspondent

James Taylor

Capitol Hill correspondent, covers legislative and political stories.

Criminal Justice

Decisions covered by James Taylor

2,423 decisions
Jul 8 2026
11th Cir. 8:21-cr-00342-VMC-SPF-1 Unpublished

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. PLAMEN GEORGIEV VELINOV

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the conviction and sentence of a defendant who managed an international enterprise producing and distributing child sexual abuse material. The court held that the images depicted lascivious exhibitions of minors' genitals and pubic areas, and that the district court properly considered sentencing statistics without violating due process.

Child Sexual Abuse Material Criminal Guidelines Departure
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Jul 8 2026
4th Cir. 25-2232 Panel Decision

Gert Jannes Kuiper v. Mario Adalberto Reyes Mena

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the denial of foreign official immunity to a former Salvadoran colonel accused of ordering the extrajudicial killing of Dutch journalists. The court held that violations of jus cogens norms, such as extrajudicial killing, do not constitute sovereign acts protected by immunity under international and domestic law.

Criminal Violent Crimes
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Jul 8 2026
6th Cir. 25-1337 Published

United States v. Lark

The Sixth Circuit affirmed the conviction of a defendant charged with drug trafficking after he challenged the validity of search warrants and the speed of his trial. The court found that the affidavits supporting the warrants contained sufficient probable cause and that the district court properly excluded time from the speedy trial calculation.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
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Jul 8 2026
5th Cir. 24-40472 Panel Decision

Paris Thorpe, as next friend A.B. Plaintiff—Appellant Darren Boykin Intervenor Plaintiff— v. Jerrika Weaver; Brent Hobbs; William Scott Defendants—

The Fifth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for three police officers in a civil rights suit following the death of a detainee with sickle cell trait. The court held that while a genuine dispute existed regarding one officer's knowledge, no clearly established law in 2019 required immediate aid for a detainee losing consciousness during transport.

Civil Rights - Section 1983 Criminal Qualified Immunity Robbery & Extortion
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Jul 8 2026
9th Cir. 1:24-cr-00003-JCC-1 Unpublished

United States v. Fejeran

The Ninth Circuit vacated and remanded a drug trafficking sentence because the district court failed to make explicit factual findings on disputed presentence report objections. The appellate court also found the district court erred by not providing sufficient reasons for denying safety-valve relief.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Sentencing Guidelines
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Jul 8 2026
9th Cir. 3:23-cr-00056-SI-1 Unpublished

USA v. Taylor

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the conviction of a defendant charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm but vacated her sentence due to insufficient findings regarding an obstruction of justice enhancement. The court remanded the case for resentencing after determining the district court failed to make express findings on the willful intent element required for the enhancement.

Criminal Firearms Sentencing Guidelines
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Jul 8 2026
5th Cir. 25-11234 Per Curiam

United States v. Rodriguez

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 review.

Anders Brief Criminal
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Jul 8 2026
Fed. Cir. 26-148 Panel Decision

In re RANDY BRACKINS EL

The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit denied a petition for a writ of mandamus filed by Randy Brackins El. The court held that the petitioner failed to demonstrate a clear and indisputable right to relief or the inadequacy of normal appeal processes.

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