--- title: "Thomas Low | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-low-district-court-judge-utah-fourth-district-court-ut" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Thomas Low Utah Fourth District Court · District Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Utah Fourth District Court - State: Utah - Role: District Court Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge Thomas L. Low is a Utah state judge appointed in 2009 to the Fourth District Court, serving Juab, Millard, Utah, and Wasatch counties, with a background as Wasatch County Attorney and in private legal practice - Named County Attorney of the Year in 2008 and listed in the 2009 Utah Legal Elite by Utah Business magazine - Served six years as Wasatch County Attorney (2002–2008) - held a position as a deputy Wasatch County Attorney, prosecuting felony cases - Practiced law in private practice in Provo, Utah - Prior to his service as a county attorney, he served as a deputy Wasatch County attorney, where he prosecuted felony cases, and as an attorney in private practice in Provo. ### Education - He also received a bachelor of arts degree from Brigham Young University. - Judge Low received a juris doctorate, with honors, from Brigham Young University, where he was admitted into the Order of the Barristers. ### Additional information - Utah Fourth District Court since December 2009, appointed by Governor Gary R. Herbert. - Retained in 2014 for a term ending January 3, 2021 - In April 2017, Judge Low drew public attention when, during the sentencing of former Mormon bishop Keith Robert Vallejo for multiple sexual assaults, he described Vallejo as an “extraordinary, good man” before imposing a sentence of up to life in prison. - Appointed to the Fourth District Court in December 2009 by Gov. - This comment sparked complaints and media discussion, though it was part of a highly emotional courtroom moment. - Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Low served six years as the Wasatch County Attorney. - His jurisdiction covers Juab, Millard, Utah, and Wasatch counties. - He is a member of the Utah Sentencing Commission and the Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice. ## 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 ### electronic media coverage Scope: statewide Utah permits electronic media coverage of public proceedings under statewide UCJA procedures, including proceedings conducted by remote transmission. Evidence excerpt: This rule governs electronic media coverage of proceedings that are open to the public, including proceedings conducted by remote transmission. [UCJA Rule 4-401.01 Electronic media coverage of court proceedings](https://legacy.utcourts.gov/rules/view.php?type=ucja&rule=4-401.01) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### media request process Scope: statewide Utah requires requests for electronic media coverage to be made through the court's public information office. Evidence excerpt: All requests to provide electronic media coverage shall be made to the court’s public information office. [UCJA Rule 4-401.01 Electronic media coverage of court proceedings](https://legacy.utcourts.gov/rules/view.php?type=ucja&rule=4-401.01) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### portable electronic devices Scope: statewide Utah permits possession and use of portable electronic devices in courthouses unless limited by UCJA Rule 4-401.02 or by directive of the judge. Evidence excerpt: A person may possess and use a portable electronic device anywhere in a courthouse, except as limited by this rule or directive of the judge. [UCJA Rule 4-401.02 Possession and use of portable electronic devices](https://legacy.utcourts.gov/rules/view.php?type=ucja&rule=4-401.02) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### recording photography transmission Scope: statewide Utah prohibits recording, photographing, or transmitting images or sound of court proceedings with portable electronic devices unless allowed under the electronic-media rule or another stated exception. Evidence excerpt: A person may not use a portable electronic device to record, photograph, or transmit images or sound of court proceedings, except in accordance with rule 4-401.01 or subsection (2)(D) above. [UCJA Rule 4-401.02 Possession and use of portable electronic devices](https://legacy.utcourts.gov/rules/view.php?type=ucja&rule=4-401.02) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.utcourts.gov/en/courts/other-court-info/judges-bios/district-courts/fourth-district-court/thomas-low.html) - [Official roster](https://www.utcourts.gov/en/courts/other-court-info/judges-bios/district-courts/fourth-district-court/thomas-low.html) - [Utah State Courts official judicial roster](https://www.utcourts.gov/en/courts/other-court-info/judges-bios/district-courts/fourth-district-court/thomas-low.html) - [UCJA Rule 4-401.01 Electronic media coverage of court proceedings](https://legacy.utcourts.gov/rules/view.php?type=ucja&rule=4-401.01) - [UCJA Rule 4-401.02 Possession and use of portable electronic devices](https://legacy.utcourts.gov/rules/view.php?type=ucja&rule=4-401.02) - [JUDGE THOMAS LOW](https://www.utcourts.gov/en/courts/other-court-info/judges-bios/district-courts/fourth-district-court/thomas-low.html) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-low-district-court-judge-utah-fourth-district-court-ut", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-low-district-court-judge-utah-fourth-district-court-ut", "name": "Thomas Low | KnowJudges", "description": "Thomas Low, Utah Fourth District Court. 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Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://legacy.utcourts.gov/rules/view.php?type=ucja&rule=4-401.01). Collected 2026-07-26. - [UCJA Rule 4-401.02 Possession and use of portable electronic devices](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-5b4e5d61b330f356e2af7caf) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://legacy.utcourts.gov/rules/view.php?type=ucja&rule=4-401.02). Collected 2026-07-26.