James Taylor

Correspondent

James Taylor

Capitol Hill correspondent, covers legislative and political stories.

Criminal Justice

Decisions covered by James Taylor

1,506 decisions
Apr 27 2026
11th Cir. 8:23-cr-00361-WFJ-CPT-1 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. STEPHEN JAY THORN

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed a 60-month prison sentence for a defendant who made multiple interstate threats against a federal judge and her family. The court held that the district court acted within its discretion to impose an upward variance based on the premeditated and terroristic nature of the conduct, despite the defendant's arguments regarding mitigating personal history.

Criminal Sex Offenses
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Apr 27 2026
5th Cir. 25-11186 Per Curiam

United States v. Valentine

The Fifth Circuit granted the Federal Public Defender's motion to withdraw from representing Willie Ray Valentine, finding no nonfrivolous issues for appellate review. The court dismissed the appeal pursuant to Fifth Circuit Rule 42.2 after a thorough examination of the record.

Anders Brief Criminal
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Apr 27 2026
7th Cir. 24-2489 Panel Decision

United States v. Corruthers

The Seventh Circuit affirmed a 48-month above-guidelines sentence for a defendant who facilitated a straw purchase of a firearm that was subsequently used to kill a police officer. The court held that the district court did not abuse its discretion in rejecting the standard sentencing guidelines for straw purchasers due to the severe consequences of the defendant's conduct.

Criminal Firearms Violent Crimes
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Apr 27 2026
11th Cir. 1:24-cv-20441-DPG Per Curiam

U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee of J.P. Morgan Alternative Loan Trust 2006-S4, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates v. Fernando V. Rivabem, Liset Rivabem

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the denial of attorneys' fees to homeowners whose foreclosure case was dismissed due to the lender's failure to serve process within the required timeframe. The court held that a procedural dismissal without prejudice does not constitute a victory on the merits required to trigger fee-shifting statutes under Florida law.

Civil Real Property
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Apr 27 2026
5th Cir. 25-11118 Per Curiam

United States v. Coulson

The Fifth Circuit granted the Federal Public Defender's motion to withdraw from representing Thomas Eugene Coulson after finding no nonfrivolous issues for appeal. The court dismissed the appeal without addressing the merits of the underlying conviction.

Anders Brief Criminal
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Apr 27 2026
7th Cir. 24-2672 Panel Decision

United States v. Corruthers

The Seventh Circuit affirmed a 48-month above-guidelines sentence for a defendant who facilitated a straw purchase that led to the death of a police officer. The court held that the district court acted within its discretion to reject the standard sentencing guidelines for straw purchasers based on the specific, violent consequences of the defendant's conduct.

Criminal Firearms Sentencing Guidelines Violent Crimes
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Apr 27 2026
11th Cir. 3:24-cr-00058-TKW-1 Per Curiam

United States v. David Gerome Kennedy

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed David Gerome Kennedy's 180-month sentence for drug conspiracy and possession, rejecting his claim that the district court plainly erred in applying sentencing enhancements for firearm possession and maintaining a premises for drug distribution. The court found sufficient evidence that Kennedy possessed firearms related to his drug trafficking and used the Milton residence as a primary site for distributing controlled substances.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Firearms Sentencing Guidelines
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Apr 27 2026
5th Cir. 25-11100 Per Curiam

United States v. Hawkins

The Fifth Circuit granted appointed counsel's motion to withdraw and dismissed the appeal after determining the case presented no nonfrivolous issues for review. The court applied the Anders standard to conclude that the defendant's appeal lacked merit.

Anders Brief Criminal
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Apr 27 2026
7th Cir. 24-3329 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ERLIN LUCERO-ASENCIO

The Seventh Circuit affirmed a 324-month sentence for drug trafficking, ruling that defense counsel's explicit agreement with the Presentence Report's drug quantity constituted a deliberate waiver of any challenge to those facts. The court held that strategic choices made during sentencing cannot be undone on appeal simply because they later appear unwise.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Sentencing Guidelines
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Apr 27 2026
11th Cir. 1:23-cr-20385-CMA-2 Per Curiam

United States v. Henriquez

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed convictions under the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act for drug trafficking occurring within Colombia's Exclusive Economic Zone. The court rejected arguments that the statute is unconstitutional or lacks jurisdictional nexus, holding that the vessel was stateless because the master failed to claim nationality.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
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