Ralph E. Tyson (1948-July 18, 2011[1]) was a United States federal judge.
Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Tyson received a B.A. from Louisiana State University in 1970 and a J.D. from Louisiana State University Law Center in 1973. He was in private practice from 1973 to 1988. He was an adjunct professor, Louisiana State University Law School from 1989 to 1991. He was an Instructor, Sociology/Law Enforcement Department, Southern University from 1989 to 1998. He was a judge on the Baton Rouge City Court, Louisiana from 1988 to 1993. He was a judge of the 19th Judicial District Court, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana from 1993 to 1998.
Tyson was a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana. Tyson was nominated by President Bill Clinton on April 2, 1998, to a new seat created by 111 Stat. 1174. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 31, 1998, and received his commission on August 3, 1998. He served as chief judge from 2005–2011.