Opinion ID: 1893288
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Standard off Review

Text: Pursuant to § 42-35-15, the Superior Court has appellate jurisdiction to review final orders of state administrative agencies. Rocha v. State Public Utilities Commission, 694 A.2d 722, 725 (R.I.1997). When reviewing the agency decision, the Superior Court trial justice shall not substitute [his or her] judgment for that of the agency as to the weight of the evidence on questions of fact. Id. (quoting § 42-35-15(g)). Rather, the trial justice must uphold the agency's conclusions when they are supported by legally competent evidence on the record. Id. The trial justice may, however, reverse or modify the agency's decision if it is: (1) [i]n violation of constitutional or statutory provisions; (2)[i]n excess of the statutory authority of the agency; (3)[m]ade upon unlawful procedure; (4)[a]ffected by other error or law; (5)[c]learly erroneous in view of the reliable, probative, and substantial evidence on the whole record; or (6)[a]rbitrary or capricious or characterized by abuse of discretion or clearly unwarranted exercise of discretion. Section 42-35-15(g). When this Court reviews the trial justice's decision via certiorari, we apply the `some' or `any' evidence test and review the record to determine if there is some or any legally competent evidence in the record to support his findings. Rocha, 694 A.2d at 726 (quoting Sartor v. Coastal Resources Management Council, 542 A.2d 1077, 1083 (R.I.1988)). Therefore, we do not weigh the evidence, but rather determine whether the trial justice was legally justified in modifying or reversing the agency's order. Id.