James Taylor

Correspondent

James Taylor

Capitol Hill correspondent, covers legislative and political stories.

Criminal Justice

Decisions covered by James Taylor

2,423 decisions
Mar 3 2026
10th Cir. 4:24-CR-00051-SEH-1) Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. MARCO DIONTE ATKINS

The Tenth Circuit affirmed Marco Atkins' convictions for assault and firearm offenses, ruling that any error in admitting a government agent's testimony about security footage did not affect the outcome of the trial. The court held that the evidence of guilt was so substantial that the jury would have convicted Atkins regardless of the agent's statements.

Criminal Firearms
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Mar 3 2026
10th Cir. 2:20-CR-00284-TS-3) Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. NELLY IDOWU

The Tenth Circuit affirmed Nelly Idowu's conviction and sentence, rejecting her claim that the district court misapplied sentencing guidelines for money laundering. The court held that because Idowu failed to object to the guideline calculation at sentencing, she could only succeed by showing plain error, which she could not establish.

Criminal Fraud Money Laundering Plain Error Review
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Mar 3 2026
8th Cir. 24-3420 Panel Decision

United States v. Gaddy

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

Criminal Other Criminal
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Mar 3 2026
5th Cir. 24-60473 Panel Decision

United States of America v. Andrew Ducksworth

The Fifth Circuit affirmed the conviction of a convicted felon for firearm possession, ruling that an officer had reasonable suspicion to frisk a paralyzed passenger after observing a weapon in the driver's lap. The court further held that a defendant's stipulation to a prior felony conviction satisfies the statutory element of a prior conviction punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year.

Criminal Firearms
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Mar 3 2026
9th Cir. 3:24-cv-05597-MJP Unpublished

Niles v. United States

The Ninth Circuit reversed a district court dismissal of a Second Amendment challenge to firearm prohibitions imposed by protection orders. The appellate court held that the Rooker-Feldman doctrine does not bar federal review when a plaintiff challenges the underlying statutes rather than seeking to overturn a specific state-court judgment.

Criminal Firearms
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Mar 3 2026
9th Cir. 3:24-cv-05597-MJP Unpublished

David E. Niles v. United States of America; Nicholas W. Brown

The Ninth Circuit reversed a district court's dismissal of a Second Amendment challenge to firearm prohibitions tied to protection orders. The appellate court held that the Rooker-Feldman doctrine does not bar the claim because the plaintiff challenged the statutes themselves rather than seeking to overturn a specific state-court judgment.

Criminal Firearms
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