Correspondent

James Taylor

Capitol Hill correspondent, covers legislative and political stories.

Criminal Justice

Decisions covered by James Taylor

2,436 decisions

Mar 11 2026

10th Cir. 5:24-CR-00250-PRW-1 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. MALYK JAJUAN RANSBURG

The Tenth Circuit dismissed Malyk Jajuan Ransburg's appeal because he signed a valid plea agreement containing an enforceable waiver of his right to appeal. The court held that the government did not breach the plea agreement by failing to support a downward sentencing adjustment, as Ransburg's false denial of relevant conduct precluded him from receiving that benefit.

Criminal Firearms

Read summary →

Mar 11 2026

8th Cir. 25-2843 Panel Decision

United States of America v. Jeffrey Alan Bradley

The Eighth Circuit affirmed a district court order directing the Bureau of Prisons to release funds from a defendant's inmate trust account to satisfy a restitution obligation. The court granted counsel's motion to withdraw after finding no abuse of discretion in the lower court's ruling.

Criminal Other Criminal

Read summary →

Mar 11 2026

8th Cir. 24-2461 Panel Decision

United States v. Branigan

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

Criminal Other Criminal

Read summary →

Mar 11 2026

8th Cir. 25-2302 Panel Decision

United States of America v. Andrew Kenneth Woock-Shelton

The Eighth Circuit affirmed the sentence imposed on a defendant convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The court granted counsel's motion to withdraw after finding no non-frivolous issues for appeal.

Criminal Firearms Sentencing Guidelines

Read summary →

Mar 11 2026

8th Cir. 25-1189 Panel Decision

United States v. Canku Martinez

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

Criminal Other Criminal

Read summary →

Mar 11 2026

5th Cir. 25-40568 Per Curiam

United States v. Quintanilla-Rosales

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit dismissed an appeal as moot because the defendant had been released from custody with no remaining supervised release term. The court granted the Federal Public Defender's motion to withdraw under Anders procedures.

Anders Brief Criminal Mootness Supervised Release

Read summary →

Mar 11 2026

8th Cir. 25-2331 Panel Decision

United States v. Greg Wallin

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

Criminal Other Criminal

Read summary →

Mar 11 2026

5th Cir. 25-50718 Per Curiam

McBride v. Guerrero

The Fifth Circuit dismissed Jason Wayne McBride's appeal as frivolous because he sought free copies of court records while no habeas proceeding was pending. The court clarified that 28 U.S.C. § 2250 only authorizes free copies when a live action is active, but prisoners may still purchase records by contacting the clerk.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - State Prisoner (28 USC 2254)

Read summary →

Mar 11 2026

8th Cir. 24-2923 Panel Decision

Untitled Opinion

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

Criminal Other Criminal

Read summary →

Mar 11 2026

5th Cir. 25-50543 Per Curiam

United States v. Smith

The Fifth Circuit dismissed Daniel Thomason Smith's appeal as frivolous because he had not yet served the ten-year minimum sentence required for compassionate release under U.S.S.G. § 1B1.13(b)(6). The court further held that the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying relief based on the nature of the offenses and the defendant's criminal history.

Compassionate Release Criminal Sentencing Guidelines

Read summary →