Are the Courts required to uphold Laws that are in violation of State and Federal Constitutions?

Are the Courts (state and otherwise) required to uphold Laws that are in violation of State and Federal Constitutions? Is an individual, incarcerated or otherwise, citizens? Are not both Protected by the same Controlling Constitiutions? Can a sentence and/or conviction within the State Court where constitutional violations exist? Should Iowa Code Section 701.9 be upheld and used in the underlying case? Was Trial Counsel ineffective for failing to impeach a critical state witness? Was Trial Counsel ineffective for failing to investigate other potentially beneficial witnesses? Was Trail Counsel ineffective for failing to file post-trial motions to set aside verdicts as inconsistent and irreconcilable?