Althea M. Handy at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Maryland · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Althea M. Handy
Judge · Circuit Court for Baltimore City
Biography
Professional career
- Judge Althea M. Handy has held the position of an Associate Judge on the Baltimore City Circuit Court, 8th Judicial Circuit, since December 3, 2002
- She has also contributed to legal education as an adjunct professor at the University of Baltimore School of Law since 1989
Education
- University of Baltimore School of Law in, where she held the role of president of the Black Law Students Association — J.D. (1986)
- B.A. in Economics from St. Mary’s College of Maryland in 1979, including a summer program at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland
Additional information
- She held the position of Judge-in-Charge of the Civil Division from December 1, 2013, to January 1, 2018 and currently serves as Co-Chair of the Docket Management Work Group of the Court Operations Committee, Judicial Council, 2023–24
- She is also a member of the Criminal Law and Procedure Committee of the Maryland Judicial Conference since 2012 Before her judicial appointment, Judge Handy served as an Assistant State's Attorney in Baltimore City from 1987 to 2002, serving as senior prosecutor in the homicide division and division chief of the sex offense unit from 1999 to 2002
- For example, in December 2020, she refused to accept a plea deal in a Baltimore City shooting case, deeming the proposed home detention sentence inappropriate and ensuring the prosecution adhered to proper legal standards
- She has served on the Board of Trustees of St. Mary’s College of Maryland (2003–2009) and on the Board of Directors of the Women’s Law Center of Maryland (1991–1992)
- She has received the Merit Award from the State’s Attorney’s Office in 1995 and the Society of Distinguished Alumni Award from St. Mary’s College of Maryland in 2001
- She was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1986 Her early professional experience includes working as an Information Assistant at Blue Cross, Blue Shield (1979–1981) and as a claims examiner at the Social Security Administration (1981–1986)
- Judge Handy has been active in community service, including volunteering at homeless shelters through Christ Lutheran Church in Baltimore.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Remote appearances
Statewide
Maryland trial courts may conduct remote electronic proceedings when authorized by rule, and the court may permit or require participants to appear by remote electronic communications.
the court may permit or require one or more participants, or all participants, to join the proceeding by means of remote electronic communications.Remote Hearings and Proceedings ↗
Statewide
For Maryland remote proceedings, the required recording is made by the court, and participants should not make their own audio or video recording unless the court permits it.
Proceedings conducted via videoconferencing technology must be recorded by the courtRemote Hearings and Proceedings ↗
Statewide
Maryland prohibits taking, recording, or transmitting photographs, videos, or other visual images in court facilities unless the court expressly grants permission in a specific instance.
The taking, recording, or transmitting of photographs, videos, or other visual images by cell phone or any other device is prohibited in the court facility at all timesNOTICE Cell Phones, Other Electronic Devices, and Cameras in Court Facilities ↗
Electronic Devices
Statewide
Maryland permits electronic devices in court facilities only in accordance with court rules and orders; attorneys may use devices reasonably for a proceeding if silent, positioned away from the trier of fact or witnesses, not used for recording, and not used for unauthorized communication.
attorneys are permitted the reasonable and lawful use of an electronic device in connection with the proceeding provided thatNOTICE Cell Phones, Other Electronic Devices, and Cameras in Court Facilities ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Remote Hearings and Proceedings
Circuit Court for Baltimore City
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 ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26NOTICE Cell Phones, Other Electronic Devices, and Cameras in Court Facilities
Circuit Court for Baltimore City
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 ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked July 26, 2026.
Maryland Judiciary official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Maryland Judiciary official judicial roster ↗Remote Hearings and Proceedings
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Remote Hearings and Proceedings ↗NOTICE Cell Phones, Other Electronic Devices, and Cameras in Court Facilities
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View NOTICE Cell Phones, Other Electronic Devices, and Cameras in Court Facilities ↗