Section 5.090 - Absence of county judge, or vacancy; authority of circuit judge; pro tem county judge(1) When the county judge is incapacitated, or absent from the county, or whenever there is a vacancy in the office of county judge, any circuit judge for or assigned to the county may perform the judicial functions of the county judge, hear proceedings, and enter any judgment or order necessary to carry into effect the judicial jurisdiction of the county court in all matters with the same force and effect as if done by the county judge when present in the county.(2) A county judge that exercises judicial functions may exercise judicial powers and functions in another county court as a pro tem county judge: (a) In the event of a vacancy in the office of county judge in another county, until the vacancy is filled as provided by law; or(b) In the event of the absence, incapacity or disqualification of a county judge in another county, during the period of the absence, incapacity or disqualification. Amended by 1997 c.650 §1; 2003 c. 576, § 272