27-26-303. Jury trial. (1) If an answer is made that raises a question as to a matter of fact essential to the determination of the motion and affecting the substantial rights of the parties, and upon the supposed truth of the allegation of which the application for the writ is based, the court or judge may order the question to be tried before a jury and postpone the argument until the trial can be had. The question to be tried must be distinctly stated in the order for trial. The order may also direct the jury to assess any damages that the applicant may have sustained if the jury finds for the applicant.

(2) If the proceeding is in the district court or before a district judge, the trial must take place as in other cases. If a jury is required in the supreme court, a jury must be drawn and selected from the jury box of Lewis and Clark County and the clerk of the district court of that county shall place the box in the custody of the clerk of the supreme court for that purpose. The conduct of the trial must be the same as in the district court, and the clerk of the supreme court has the same authority to issue process and enter orders and judgments as the district court clerk has in similar cases.