Sec. 3. (a) An action for mandate shall stand for trial, and as in other civil actions, the court hearing the action may:
(1) join issues of law and fact;
(2) grant amendments, continuances, and appeals; and
(3) render final judgments.
(b) In actions for mandate, if the finding and judgments are for the plaintiff, the court rendering the final judgment shall grant the plaintiff:
(1) relief the plaintiff is entitled to under the law and facts in the action;
(2) damages, as in actions for false returns; and
(3) costs as the court directs.