JUDGE; DISABILITY

(a) During trial. If by reason of absence from the State, death, sickness or other disability, including retirement or disqualification, the judge before whom a jury trial has commenced is unable to proceed with the trial, any other judge regularly sitting in or assigned to the court, upon certifying that the judge has become familiarized with the record of the trial, may proceed with and finish the trial. (b) After verdict or finding of guilt. If by reason of absence from the State, death, sickness or other disability, including retirement or disqualification, the judge before whom the defendant has been tried is unable to perform the duties to be performed by the court after a verdict or finding of guilt, any other judge regularly sitting in or assigned to the court may perform those duties; but if such other judge is satisfied that the judge cannot perform those duties because the judge did not preside at the trial or for any other reason, the judge may grant a new trial. (Amended April 23, 2012, effective June 18, 2012 ; further amended July 9, 2025, effective January 1, 2026.)