Opinion ID: 1253219
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Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Relevant Principles of Statutory Construction.

Text: The issue on appeal is one of statutory interpretation. We review the district court's interpretation and application of a sentencing statute for the correction of errors at law. See State v. Beach, 630 N.W.2d 598, 600 (Iowa 2001); State v. McCoy, 618 N.W.2d 324, 325 (Iowa 2000). The primary purpose of statutory construction is to determine legislative intent. McCoy, 618 N.W.2d at 325. The court gleans this intent from the words used by the legislature. See State v. Kidd, 562 N.W.2d 764, 765 (Iowa 1997). We do not speculate as to the probable legislative intent apart from the words used in the statute. State v. Adams, 554 N.W.2d 686, 689 (Iowa 1996). In addition, we will not read something into the law that is not apparent from the words chosen by the legislature. State v. Guzman-Juarez, 591 N.W.2d 1, 2 (Iowa 1999). Finally, the court will not substitute its judgment for that of the legislature on matters of policy. 1 Norman J. Singer, Sutherland Statutory Construction § 2.01, at 15 (5th ed.1994 rev. vol.); accord State v. Wagner, 596 N.W.2d 83, 88 (Iowa 1999).