(1) At any time prior to the date fixed for the hearing of the petition provided for in section 38-6-205, any defendant who owns or is interested in any property to be taken, appropriated, or damaged on account of the proposed improvement may file his demand, in writing, for a trial by a jury of either six or twelve freeholders to appraise and assess the damages which said defendant or person may sustain by reason of the appropriation and condemnation of, or damage to, his property. Any person so demanding a jury, at the time of said demand, shall deposit with the clerk the jury fees for one day's services according to the rate allowed jurors in the district court. The court shall fix an early date for said trial, and on such date the defendants who have made written demands for jury trial within the time provided shall proceed to submit their claims to the jury. Such jury shall be drawn as in civil actions; except that the jurors shall have the qualifications provided in this section.

(2) The court shall proceed in the same manner and with like powers as in other cases, except as otherwise provided in this part 2. At the request of any party to the proceedings, the court shall order that the jury go upon the premises sought to be taken or damaged, in charge of a sworn bailiff and in the company of any other person that the court may order, and examine the premises in person. At the conclusion of the evidence, the matters in controversy may be argued by counsel to the jury, and at the conclusion of the arguments the court shall instruct the jury in writing. The jury shall return a special verdict fixing and determining the damages or compensation to be allowed to each defendant, severally, who has demanded a jury trial, which verdict shall include the fair, actual cash market value of the land actually taken for the improvement. Any party to the proceeding may move for a new trial in the same manner as in actions at law. The refusal of said court to grant the same may be excepted to and assigned for appeal, but no appeal shall be permitted to stay the improvement sought by the proceeding.