Name: Rudolph J. Tollefson
Title: Judge
Court: Pierce County Superior Court
County: Pierce
Discipline: Censure & Suspension
Method of Resolution: Supreme Court affirmed
Discipline Date: 08/21/2000
Canons Violated:1, 2(A), 2(B), 3(A)(1), 3(A)(2), 3(A)(3), 3(A)(4), 3(A)(5), 3(A)(7), 3(B)(1), 3(B)(3), 3(D)(1)
Summary: On December 16, 1999, the Commission filed a Statement of Charges alleging that Judge Rudolph J. Tollefson of the Pierce County Superior Court violated the Code of Judicial Conduct by using intemperate and abusive language and behavior towards court staff and another judge; engaging in improper conduct by entering ex parte orders when he was a district court judge; engaging in ex parte contacts and failing to maintain his impartiality in a child custody matter pending before him; including undertaking an ex parte investigation outside the courtroom; and failing to maintain, enforce, and observe high standards of judicial conduct so that the integrity and independence of the judiciary would be preserved. Judge Tollefson agreed that there was sufficient evidence to establish his described conduct and that such conduct violated Canons 1, 2 (A), 2 (B), 3 (A)(1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7), 3 (B)(1), 3 (B)(3), and 3 (D)(1) of the Code of Judicial Conduct. The judge agreed to a censure, to take a course in judicial ethics, and to participate in anger management therapy. The judge further agreed to a five-month suspension without pay. The State Supreme Court approved the stipulation and suspended Judge Tollefson for five months without pay.
Case Documents Available:
Certification and Order of Completion filed 2/2/2001.
Supreme Court Order In re Honorable Rudolph J. Tollefson In re Tollefson, 70051-6 filed 8/30/2000.
Stipulation, Agreement and Order of Censure, and Recommendation for Suspension filed 8/21/2000.
Stipulated Amendment to the Statement of Charges filed 1/31/2000.
Answer to Statement of Charges filed 1/6/2000.
Statement of Charges filed 12/16/1999.