Opinion ID: 1802090
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Interaction Between the Two Enhancement Sections.

Text: The defendant argues that the trial court could apply either the firearms enhancement or the repeat-offender enhancement, but not both. His argument is contrary to the plain language of the statutes. First, it must be recognized that the immediate possession of a firearm enhancement is mandatory. Defendant's sentence shall be doubled. Iowa Code § 124.401(1)(e). Shall indicates a duty. Id. § 4.1(30)(a). This word choice by the legislature is inconsistent with the defendant's argument that the court was to pick between the two enhancement statutes. It must also be recognized that the language of the repeat-offender statute gives the district court the power to increase the sentence otherwise provided. Id. § 124.411(1). Otherwise provided is broad language that, in our view, allows the enhancement of a mandatorily doubled sentence under section 124.401(1)(e).