Iowa Code § 814.20: Decisions on appeals or applications by defendant.

An appeal or application taken by the defendant shall not be dismissed for an informality or defect in taking it if corrected as directed by the appellate court. The appellate court, after an examination of the entire record, may dispose of the case by affirmation, reversal or modification of the district court judgment. The appellate court may also order a new trial, or reduce the punishment, but shall not increase it.