---
title: "Tessa Vaagen | KnowJudges"
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# Tessa Vaagen

North Dakota South Central Judicial District Court · Judicial Referee

## Profile

- Court: North Dakota South Central Judicial District Court
- State: North Dakota
- Role: Judicial Referee
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-10-02

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- Presiding Judge Bruce Romanick appointed her a South Central Judicial District referee and magistrate in November 2023 on behalf of the district’s judges
- Appointed by Presiding Judge Bruce Romanick, on behalf of all South Central Judicial District Court judges, as a Judicial Referee and Magistrate
- Her work is part of the district’s broader judicial leadership under Presiding Judge Romanick

### Education

- Tessa Marie Vaagen graduated from the University of North Dakota School of Law and entered the North Dakota bar in 2015.

### Additional information

- Tessa Marie Vaagen is an active Judicial Referee and Magistrate in the South Central Judicial District of North Dakota, appointed in November 2023, with a background in family law and juvenile cases
- Vaagen’s appointment reflects the South Central Judicial District’s emphasis on experienced legal professionals handling sensitive family and juvenile cases.
- Prior to her appointment, Vaagen had extensive experience in family law and juvenile justice matters, which informed her current judicial responsibilities
- Her judicial work includes juvenile delinquency, child protection and services, domestic relations, parenting responsibility, child support, guardianship and protection-order cases.

## 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/district-court/district-court-judges)
- [Official roster](https://www.ndcourts.gov/district-court/district-court-judges)
- [North Dakota Court System official judicial roster](https://www.ndcourts.gov/district-court/district-court-judges)
- [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/district-court/district-court-judges)
- [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)

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