Opinion ID: 1243559
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Scope of review. Our scope of review is on assigned error only. Iowa R.App.P. 4.

Text: The standard of review in challenging the sufficiency of the evidence is well established. See State v. Robinson, 288 N.W.2d 337, 338 (Iowa 1980). We will uphold a verdict where there is substantial evidence in the record tending to support the charge. Id. In a criminal case tried to the court, as in a civil case tried to the court at law, the court's verdict is like a jury verdict. City of Des Moines v. Huff, 232 N.W.2d 574, 576 (Iowa 1975). Upon review of the sufficiency of evidence to support the verdict, we view the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict, and we accept as established all reasonable inferences tending to support it. Id. Findings of the trial court are to be broadly and liberally construed, rather than narrowly or technically, and, in case of ambiguity, we will construe findings to uphold, rather than defeat, the judgment. Id. Direct and circumstantial evidence are equally probative so long as the evidence raises a fair inference of guilt and [does] more than create speculation, suspicion, or conjecture. State v. Hamilton, 309 N.W.2d 471, 479 (Iowa 1981). It is necessary to consider all the evidence in the record and not just the evidence supporting the verdict to determine whether there is substantial evidence to support the charge. State v. Bass, 349 N.W.2d 498, 500 (Iowa 1984) (quoting State v. Blair, 347 N.W.2d 416, 419 (Iowa 1984)). Substantial evidence means evidence which would convince a rational factfinder that the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. LeGear, 346 N.W.2d 21, 23 (Iowa 1984). Of course, none of this precludes inquiry as to whether the trial court applied erroneous rules of law which materially affected its decision. Huff, 232 N.W.2d at 576. We are not bound by the trial court's conclusions of law. Id.