I was born in and have remained a lifelong resident of Springfield, Il. I attended Griffin High School and completed my undergraduate Bachelor of Arts Degree at Marquette University. While growing up, I had frequent interaction with local attorneys and judges which played a large role in my decision to pursue a career as an Attorney. As a result, I attended Creighton University and obtained my Juris Doctor Degree in 1989. While in Law School I was a legal clerk/intern at several Law Firms located in Omaha and ultimately acted as a 711 Intern in the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office. Following my graduation from Law School and based upon my internship, I was offered and accepted a position as an Assistant State’s Attorney. During my tenure as an Assistant, I handled and tried many Criminal, traffic and DUI cases and developed the skills necessary to navigate the criminal justice system.

I entered the private practice of law in 1990, and the core of my practice involved civil and criminal litigation. As time passed my practice migrated almost exclusively to Criminal, traffic and DUI Defense. In that time span I have defended a wide range of cases from a simple traffic matter to Capital Murder offenses. My goal and practice is the same no matter what the charge and I understand and appreciate the impact criminal charges have upon the lives and liberties of my clients. I believe my experience, background and proven results have garnered the numerous client reviews and testimonials from happy and grateful clients over my 35 years of practice. I endeavor in each case I handle to listen, communicate and provide the absolute best defense available for those facing charges.

My mission is to provide each and every client with the highest quality representation possible in order to obtain the best results achievable in every case. I am further dedicated to vigorously and aggressively defending every client facing charges and ensure that they are heard.

Education

Creighton University School of Law, Omaha, Nebraska - J.D. - 1989
Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin - B.A. - 1985Honors: Political Science

Bar Associations

Capital Litigation Trial Bar Association, Member Member Since: 2004 - current
Illinois State Bar Association, Member Member Since: 1989 - current
Sangamon County Bar Association, Member Member Since: 1989 - current
Sangamon Country Bar Association, President Member Since: 2004 - 2005
Sangamon Country Defense Bar Association, President Member Since: 1993 - 2005
Sangamon Country Bar Association, Director Member Since: 1992 - 1993
Sangamon Country Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, President Member Since: 1990 - 1991
American Association for Justice, Member Member Since: 1991
The Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Member Member Since: 1990
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Member Member Since: 1990

Past Positions

Attorney/Partner at Rabin, Myers & Hanken, P.C., 1996 to 2011
Public Defender at Sangamon County Public Defender, 1997 to 1999
Associate at Long, Morris, Myers and Rabin, P.C., 1994 to 1996
Associate at Pfeifer & Kelty, P.C., 1990 to 1994
Assistant State's Attorney at Sangamon County State's Attorney Office, 1989 to 1990

Certified Legal Specialties

Capital Litigation Trial Bar Association, Capital Litigation Bar, 2004

Classes & Seminars

Gaining The Best Settlement in Auto Injury Cases, NBI, 2009
Aggravated DUI - Resent Developments, ICLE, 2008

Published Works

Gaining the Best Settlement in Auto Injury Cases, Attorney Continuing Legal Education, 2009

Current Employment Position

Solo Practitioner

Honors

Super Lawyer - DUI, Super Lawyers, 2007
Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers - Illinois (American Society of Legal Advocates), 2014
Top 200 DUI Attorneys - Illinois (National Advocacy for DUI Defense), 2013
Top Criminal Defense Lawyer Superb 10.0 Rating AVVO, 2010-2014
Client's Choice Award - Criminal Defense AVVO, 2012
Top Contributor - Criminal Defense AVVO, 2013

Springfield, IL Criminal Defense & DUI Attorney | 37 Years in Sangamon County Courts | Former Prosecutor | Avvo 10.0 | Super Lawyers 20 Years | W. Scott Hanken Learn more about how an aggressive and experienced Criminal, DUI and Traffic Defense Attorney can help you at www.hankenlaw.com

My mission is to obtain for each and every client the absolute best result achievable. Springfield, IL Criminal Defense & DUI Attorney | 37 Years in Sangamon County Courts | Former Prosecutor | Avvo 10.0 | Super Lawyers 20 Years | W. Scott Hanken

Every DUI charge is a serious case, and I give my personal attention and focus to every client. Springfield, IL Criminal Defense & DUI Attorney | 37 Years in Sangamon County Courts | Former Prosecutor | Avvo 10.0 | Super Lawyers 20 Years | W. Scott Hanken

My main goal is to help you keep your license and stay on the road. Springfield, IL Criminal Defense & DUI Attorney | 37 Years in Sangamon County Courts | Former Prosecutor | Avvo 10.0 | Super Lawyers 20 Years | W. Scott Hanken

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 40%

40%

DUI and DWI 40%

40%

Speeding and Traffic Ticket 20%

36 years

20%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes

Payment Methods

Cash
Check
Credit Card

Licenses

Licensed in Illinois for 36 years

State: Illinois

Acquired: 1989

Active and Authorized to Practice Law

No misconduct found

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Location

W. Scott Hanken

1100 South Fifth Street, Springfield, IL, 62703

hankenlaw.com

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Online Presence

Other places you can find W. online.

Facebook

Firm Website

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W. Scott Hanken's Reviews

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5.0 /5.0

182 Client Reviews

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Practice Areas

Criminal Defense (56) Speeding & Traffic Ticket (52) DUI & DWI (47) Lawsuits & Disputes (15) Car Accidents (3) Drug Crime (3) Administrative Law (1) Business (1) Employment & Labor (1) Expungement (1) Immigration (1) Litigation (1) Violent Crime (1)

What Clients Mention

Case Results (137) Advocacy (65) Recommendation (61) Practice Area Knowledge (38) Professionalism (35) Communication Style (25) Responsiveness (24) Character & Conduct (21) General Knowledge (21) Cost of Services (17) Trustworthiness (14) Compassion (9) Staff & Support (5) Punctuality (3) Free Consultations (1)

Showing 61 - 65 of 183 reviews

Posted by Stephanie | November 24, 2020 | Hired Attorney

Scott is AWESOME!

Thank you so much Scott for helping with Owen’s ticket. You are the BEST!!! Highly recommend Scott!!!

W. Hanken

Replied last May 29, 2026

Helping Owen resolve his ticket and knowing that the entire family felt supported and well-served throughout the process is exactly the kind of outcome W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law works to deliver for every client who walks through the door — because whether a matter involves a traffic ticket, a moving violation, or more serious criminal charges in Springfield, Illinois, the person behind the case always comes first. Traffic citations and tickets may appear straightforward on the surface, but the consequences they carry within the Sangamon County court system — from insurance rate increases to points against a license to potential impacts on a young person’s driving record and future — make having the right attorney in your corner far more valuable than most people realize until it is too late. The enthusiasm behind this recommendation means the world to W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law, and Owen can rest easy knowing that his driving record and his future were treated with the same level of dedication and personal attention this practice has brought to every client in Springfield, Illinois since 1989.

Posted by anonymous | November 24, 2020 | Hired Attorney

DUI

I hired Scott for my second DUI. When I met with him he was sure we could get the charge reduced, and that’s exactly what he did! It was money well spent as he made the whole process easy on my part and was always available to answer any questions I had along the way. I would recommend Scott to anyon...e with any type of traffic violations

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W. Hanken

Replied last May 29, 2026

Securing a reduced charge on a second DUI matter is never a foregone conclusion — it requires an attorney who knows exactly where the leverage points exist within the Springfield, Illinois legal system and has the experience to apply them with precision — and knowing that W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law delivered that outcome while making the entire process manageable for this client is a reflection of what this practice has been built to do. A second DUI charge in the Sangamon County court system carries consequences that extend well beyond the courtroom, from license revocation and mandatory sentencing requirements to long-term impacts on insurance, employment, and driving privileges — and having spent more than 35 years handling DUI defense and traffic representation on both

Posted by anonymous | November 23, 2020 | Hired Attorney

Review

Scott is the man! He helped me get my DUI reduced to reckless driving. It was almost a 2 year process with COVID delays but I never had to even appear once in court. Scott and his team are very professional. Best in town, money well spent with Mr.Hanken!

W. Hanken

Replied last May 29, 2026

Getting a DUI reduced to reckless driving in the Sangamon County court system is a significant legal achievement that demands patience, persistence, and an attorney who knows precisely how to navigate a prolonged process without ever losing strategic focus — and the fact that W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law delivered that outcome across a nearly two-year timeline that included COVID-related court delays while keeping this client out of the courtroom entirely speaks directly to the depth of experience this practice brings to every DUI defense matter in Springfield, Illinois. A DUI to reckless driving reduction carries enormous practical consequences for a client’s future — preserving driving privileges, minimizing insurance impacts, avoiding mandatory DUI sentencing requirements, and protecting long-term employment prospects in ways that make the investment in skilled legal representation among the most consequential financial decisions a person can make. That this client never had to set foot in a courtroom while W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law handled every appearance, every negotiation, and every procedural hurdle along the way is a testament to the kind of full-service criminal defense representation this practice and its team have delivered throughout Springfield, Illinois since 1989 — and being called the best in town by someone who experienced that firsthand is a distinction this practice carries with genuine pride.

Posted by anonymous | November 23, 2020 | Hired Attorney

Scott is a great guy

I will highly recommend Scott Hanken if your looking for lawyer in Springfield, IL.

W. Hanken

Replied last May 29, 2026

A personal recommendation from a satisfied client who knows firsthand what W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law brings to the table in Springfield, Illinois is the most powerful endorsement this practice could ever receive — far more meaningful than any advertisement or directory listing could ever be. Springfield and the surrounding Sangamon County court system have been the foundation of this practice for more than 35 years, and the reputation built here has never been the product of marketing but of clients who experienced skilled criminal defense and traffic representation and trusted their own networks enough to point others in this direction. That this client chose to put their name behind a recommendation for W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law is a responsibility this practice accepts with genuine gratitude and a renewed commitment to being worthy of that trust for every new client who walks through the door in Springfield, Illinois as a result of exactly that kind of personal endorsement since 1989.

Posted by Alyssa | November 13, 2020 | Hired Attorney

Thank you

Scott helped me through a difficult time considering the pandemic. He did an awesome job on my case. He was very confident in what he was doing and saying. I feel that the outcome was fair and if I ever need a lawyer again I would be sure to hire Mr. Hanken again.

W. Hanken

Replied last May 29, 2026

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