Jury trial is available in civil actions either when it is guaranteed in the Constitution or when the trial judge believes it to be a good idea. The trial judge has broad discretion to call and submit questions to an advisory jury and to use or to disregard the findings of the advisory jury. In practice, judges who believe it worthwhile to empanel such a jury will listen to what the jury has to say. Courts have used advisory juries in cases involving equity, probate, admiralty, and other areas. The advisory jury offers a flexible adjunct to traditional courtroom practice and is thereby one of many tools of the alternative dispute resolution movement. It also represents community participation in the decisionmaking process. 117 references.