Opinion ID: 888678
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: standard of review

Text: ¶ 9 This Court reviews de novo the denial of a motion to dismiss a formal petition in youth court to determine whether the court correctly interpreted the law. Matter of R.L.H., 2005 MT 177, ¶ 15, 327 Mont. 520, 116 P.3d 791. This Court reviews a court's finding of competence to determine whether substantial evidence supports the finding. State v. Garner, 2001 MT 222, ¶ 22, 306 Mont. 462, 36 P.3d 346. Statutes enjoy a presumption of constitutionality and the person challenging a statute's constitutionality bears the burden of proving it unconstitutional beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Knudson, 2007 MT 324, ¶ 12, 340 Mont. 167, 174 P.3d 469. This Court exercises plenary review of questions of constitutional law, and reviews a district court's application of the Constitution to determine if it is correct. Knudson, ¶ 12. This Court reviews a youth court's interpretation and application of the Youth Court Act for correctness. Matter of K.D.K., 2006 MT 187, ¶ 14, 333 Mont. 100, 141 P.3d 1212.