1. (a) A judge absent from the bench for more than thirty (30) days shall deposit the dockets, books, and papers of the office with the:

   1. (1) small claims judge of another township; or

   2. (2) circuit court;

      as directed by the circuit court judge.

2. (b) A:

   1. (1) judge with whom the docket of another judge is deposited during a vacancy or an absence; and

   2. (2) successor of any judge who has the dockets of the successor's predecessor in the successor's possession;

      may perform all duties that the judge might do legally in relation to the judge's own dockets.

3. (c) Process shall be returned to the judge who has the legal custody of the docket at the day of return.

   [Pre-2004 Recodification Citation: 33-11.6-7-5.]

As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.13. Amended by P.L.174-2006, SEC.6.