Opinion ID: 2205235
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Scope and Principles of Review.

Text: A writ of certiorari lies where a lower board, tribunal, or court has exceeded its jurisdiction or otherwise has acted illegally. For this reason, this court may examine only the jurisdiction of the district court and the legality of its actions. Illegality exists when the court's findings lack substantial evidentiary support, or when the court has not properly applied the law. Our review of the district court's action is therefore for correction of errors of law. State Pub. Defender v. Iowa Dist. Ct. for Black Hawk County, 633 N.W.2d 280, 282 (Iowa 2001) (citations omitted). If constitutional issues are raised, however, we independently evaluate the totality of the evidence, and our review is de novo. Brummer v. Iowa Dep't of Corrs., 661 N.W.2d 167, 171 (Iowa 2003). When the constitutionality of a statute is challenged, we presume the statute is constitutional and `give it any reasonable construction necessary to uphold it.' State v. Anspach, 627 N.W.2d 227, 231 (Iowa 2001) (citation omitted). The party challenging the constitutionality of a statute has the burden to demonstrate there is no reasonable basis upon which the statute can be sustained. Id.