James Taylor

Correspondent

James Taylor

Capitol Hill correspondent, covers legislative and political stories.

Criminal Justice

Decisions covered by James Taylor

2,426 decisions
Mar 6 2026
10th Cir. 1:21-CR-00670-JB-1) Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. KYLE AGUILAR

The Tenth Circuit affirmed Kyle Aguilar's convictions for two counts of Abusive Sexual Contact in Indian Country, ruling that the statute treats touching different body parts as separate criminal acts. The court further held that the victim's testimony provided sufficient evidence for a jury to infer the defendant's intent to gratify his sexual desire.

Constitutional Fifth Amendment - Double Jeopardy Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241)
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Mar 6 2026
10th Cir. 2:14-CR-00058-ABJ-1 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. JOSEPH COLVIN

The Tenth Circuit affirmed a three-year prison sentence for a supervised release violation, ruling that a police report detailing firearm possession was admissible evidence. The court held that the report met the minimal reliability standard required for sentencing and that the defendant waived his right to object to the timing of its disclosure.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
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Mar 6 2026
3rd Cir. 26-1084 Panel Decision

In re JOBADIAH SINCLAIR WEEKS

The Third Circuit dismissed a petition for a writ of mandamus filed by Jobadiah Weeks because the District Court subsequently ruled on the underlying motions. The appellate court found that the lower court's actions resolved the specific relief sought, eliminating the live controversy required for judicial intervention.

Criminal Fraud
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Mar 6 2026
9th Cir. 2:22-cv-06206-ODW-ADS Unpublished

JOSE LUIS AYALA v. ROBERTO A. ARIAS, Warden

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the denial of a state prisoner's habeas petition, ruling that his request to represent himself was made too close to trial to be considered timely under federal law. The court held that the California Court of Appeal reasonably applied Supreme Court precedent by finding the request untimely when made on the eve of trial.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - State Prisoner (28 USC 2254)
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Mar 5 2026
7th Cir. 22-2838 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ATORIS JAQUEZ SLATER

The Seventh Circuit affirmed a defendant's sentence after he failed to object to a revised sentencing guideline calculation that applied a higher drug conversion ratio to THC-infused edibles. The court held that the district court acted within its discretion to permit a late government objection to the presentence report and that the defendant waived his substantive argument regarding the conversion ratio by agreeing to the revised calculation.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Sentencing Guidelines
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Mar 5 2026
6th Cir. 25-5338 Published

United States v. Odom

The Sixth Circuit affirmed LaVaughn Odom's 192-month sentence for drug trafficking and firearm offenses, ruling that the district court did not commit procedural or substantive error. The court held that the sentence was reasonable despite being below the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines range.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Sentencing Guidelines
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Mar 5 2026
6th Cir. 25-1050 Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. EMORY DAY

The Sixth Circuit affirmed Emory Day's conviction for distributing and possessing child pornography, ruling that the search warrant was supported by probable cause. The court further held that the evidence was sufficient to link the devices containing the illegal images to Day and that the sentencing enhancement was properly applied.

Child Sexual Abuse Material Criminal Sentencing Guidelines Supervised Release
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Mar 5 2026
6th Cir. 25-5526 Published

United States v. Martinez-Hipolito

The Sixth Circuit affirmed the denial of a motion to suppress evidence of child pornography, ruling that officers had a reasonable belief the arrest suspect was inside the apartment. The court held that hearing movement inside and the suspect's unemployment status justified a forcible entry to execute an arrest warrant.

Child Sexual Abuse Material Criminal
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