Disclaimer: This synopsis is intended to provide only general information about this case before the Nevada Supreme Court. It is not intended to be all inclusive or reflect all positions of the parties.
Las Vegas Justices Cherry, Saitta, and Gibbons
In this appeal, issues are raised about the grand jury indictment of Miguel Salas, who was a juvenile at the time of an auto theft that led to a high speed chase and a head-on collision. Salas was certified to stand trial as an adult following the incident in which he and Alberto Spindola broke into and stole an automobile in Las Vegas. The pair attempted to evade capture by fleeing at high-speed from a police officer. The chase ended in a head-on collision with another car. Salas was arrested, certified as an adult, and charged with numerous felony violations. The justice court, however, dismissed charges of robbery with the use of a deadly weapon and conspiracy to commit robbery for lack of probable cause, but bound over Salas to the district court on the remaining charges. The State then convened a grand jury, which indicted Salas on the two previously dismissed charges. Salas was found guilty at trial on all but three charges. This appeal followed. ISSUES: Did the district court abuse its discretion in determining that the State provided Salas with reasonable notice of the grand jury proceedings? Did the district court have jurisdiction to proceed on the grand jury indictment? Did Salas demonstrate “exceptional circumstances” to show the district court abused its discretion in failing to remand his case to the juvenile court? Did the State present sufficient evidence to convict Salas of robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery?
