---
title: "Lonnie Olson | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lonnie-olson-nd-nejd-1"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Lonnie Olson

North Dakota Northeast Judicial District Court · District Judge

## Profile

- Court: North Dakota Northeast Judicial District Court
- State: North Dakota
- Role: District Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-10-02

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- The elected District Court Judge for Northeast Judicial District #1 in Devils Lake, North Dakota, serving since 2016
- Won the 2016 general election for Northeast Judicial District Judge No. 1, defeating Jim Wang with 55.8% of the vote
- He held the county prosecutor’s position from 1990 to 2016
- In 1990 he held the role of a special assistant state’s attorney for the Lake Region Child Support Enforcement Unit and was elected Ramsey County state’s attorney
- Position: District Court Judge, Northeast Judicial District #1 (Department 1)

### Education

- University of North Dakota School of Law — J.D. (1987)
- Lonnie Olson graduated from Devils Lake Central High School in 1980 and earned University of North Dakota degrees in 1984 and law in 1987.

### Additional information

- He won election to Northeast Judicial District Judgeship 1 in November 2016, succeeding Lee Christofferson.
- 1987–1989: Private legal practice.
- He entered the North Dakota bar in 1987 and practiced privately from 1987 to 1989.
- Known for a career combining public service, legal practice, and judicial leadership in North Dakota’s rural justice system
- His chambers are in Devils Lake.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### remote hearing and evidence

Scope: statewide

North Dakota Administrative Rule 52 permits reliable electronic-means proceedings in district and municipal courts on the court's or a party's motion; a party seeking the proceeding must give notice and obtain court approval.

Evidence excerpt: Parties seeking to hold an electronic means proceeding must provide notice to the other parties and obtain approval from the court.

[North Dakota Supreme Court Administrative Rule 52: Reliable Electronic Means Proceedings](https://www.ndcourts.gov/news/north-dakota/north-dakota-supreme-court/general-news/remote-proceedings-by-electronic-means-a-useful-tool)
Source checked: 2026-07-27

### remote hearing and evidence

Scope: statewide

North Dakota's official Rule 52 guidance states that in civil actions a court may conduct a hearing, conference, other proceeding, or take testimony by reliable electronic means.

Evidence excerpt: In a civil action, the court may conduct a hearing, conference, or other proceeding, or take testimony, by reliable electronic means.

[North Dakota Supreme Court Administrative Rule 52: Reliable Electronic Means Proceedings](https://www.ndcourts.gov/news/north-dakota/north-dakota-supreme-court/general-news/remote-proceedings-by-electronic-means-a-useful-tool)
Source checked: 2026-07-27


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations/northeast)
- [Official roster](https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations/northeast)
- [North Dakota Court System official judicial roster](https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations/northeast)
- [North Dakota Supreme Court Administrative Rule 52: Reliable Electronic Means Proceedings](https://www.ndcourts.gov/news/north-dakota/north-dakota-supreme-court/general-news/remote-proceedings-by-electronic-means-a-useful-tool)
- [North Dakota Court System official judicial roster](https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations/northeast)
- [North Dakota Supreme Court Administrative Rule 52: Reliable Electronic Means Proceedings](https://www.ndcourts.gov/news/north-dakota/north-dakota-supreme-court/general-news/remote-proceedings-by-electronic-means-a-useful-tool)

## JSON-LD

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@graph": [
    {
      "@type": "WebPage",
      "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lonnie-olson-nd-nejd-1",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lonnie-olson-nd-nejd-1",
      "name": "Lonnie Olson | KnowJudges",
      "description": "Lonnie Olson, North Dakota Northeast Judicial District Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.",
      "dateModified": "2026-10-07",
      "isPartOf": {
        "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website"
      },
      "mainEntity": {
        "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lonnie-olson-nd-nejd-1#judge"
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Person",
      "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lonnie-olson-nd-nejd-1#judge",
      "name": "Lonnie Olson",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lonnie-olson-nd-nejd-1",
      "jobTitle": "District Judge",
      "worksFor": {
        "@type": "GovernmentOrganization",
        "name": "North Dakota Northeast Judicial District Court"
      },
      "sameAs": [
        "https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations/northeast"
      ]
    },
    {
      "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
      "itemListElement": [
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 1,
          "name": "KnowJudges",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 2,
          "name": "North Dakota",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/north-dakota"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 3,
          "name": "Lonnie Olson",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lonnie-olson-nd-nejd-1"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}
```