When the district attorney does not attend a criminal session or the office is vacant, the court may appoint an attorney to perform duties during the session and allow a reasonable compensation to be paid from the county treasury, in the county where the appointment is made. The court shall notify the Attorney General who shall deduct that amount from the district attorney’s salary and forward it to the county treasurer. [PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. A, §6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]