PRO

Licensed for 36 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Springfield, IL
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI, Speeding & Traffic Ticket

Free Consultation

About W.

Biography

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

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W. Scott Hanken's Reviews

Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.

5.0 /5.0

182 Client Reviews

Avvo

5.0

(181)

Lawyers.com

5.0

(1 )

See client reviews from Lawyers.com

Showing 41 - 45 of 183 reviews

Posted by anonymous | March 03, 2021 | Hired Attorney

Mr. Hanken Takes Care of Business!

I had a significant speeding ticket on my hands and Mr. Hanken took care of everything! I didn't have to stress at all!

W. Hanken

Replied last May 27, 2026

Removing the stress of a significant speeding ticket entirely from a client’s hands — and delivering results — is exactly the kind of straightforward, efficient traffic defense that W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law has provided to drivers throughout Springfield, Illinois for more than 35 years. A serious speeding violation can carry meaningful consequences for your driving record, your insurance rates, and depending on your license status, your livelihood — and having experienced local counsel familiar with the Sangamon County court system handle every detail on your behalf since 1989 means you never have to walk into a courtroom alone or navigate the process without guidance. That peace of mind is not a byproduct of good representation at W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law — it is a deliberate part of it. Thank you for the trust you placed in this office, and I am glad we could make a stressful situation feel completely manageable.

Posted by Z | February 22, 2021 | Hired Attorney

Great Lawyer

HE IS THE MAN! I had a lot of jail time hanging over my head and he took care of everything -got a number of things dismissed and now I’m able to move on with my life

W. Hanken

Replied last May 27, 2026

When significant jail time is on the line, the difference between the right criminal defense attorney and the wrong one is the difference between moving forward with your life and losing it entirely — and securing multiple dismissals to eliminate that exposure completely is precisely the kind of high-stakes result W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law has fought for on behalf of clients throughout Springfield, Illinois for more than 35 years. That outcome does not happen by accident; it is the product of meticulous case analysis, an intimate familiarity with the Sangamon County court system, and the kind of relentless criminal defense advocacy that has defined this practice since 1989 — first as a former Assistant State’s Attorney who understands exactly how the other side builds a case, and then as a dedicated defense attorney who knows precisely how to dismantle one. At W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law, protecting a client’s freedom and their future is never just a professional obligation — it is a personal one. Knowing you are able to move forward with your life makes every bit of that work worthwhile.

Posted by G.Franklin | February 20, 2021 | Hired Attorney

The Areas Best Attorney

I was arrested for my third d.u.i. I thought my life and my driving privileges were over. I contacted attorney Scott Hanken to handle my case because obviously I was worried.Im self employed and live in a rural area so not having a license would of ruined everything I’ve worked for for the last five... years and basically take away my livelyhood besides my license. Attorney Hanken is a straight shooter no nonsense guy.He talked with me initially about the case and reassured me along the way.He didnt make any promises but he definitely gets results.Attorney Scott Hanken not only won my dui case he also saved my career.If you are looking for a dui,felony,misdemeanor, or even a traffic lawyer he is THE MAN to call.Ive hired several lawyers over the years and Scott Hanken is hands down the best I’ve ever hired.Super Attorney that demands respect in the courtroom and gets the results period.

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W. Hanken

Replied last May 27, 2026

A third DUI charge is among the most serious criminal matters an Illinois driver can face — carrying mandatory minimum sentencing, near-certain license revocation, and life-altering consequences that are especially devastating for a self-employed individual in a rural area whose livelihood depends entirely on the ability to drive — and the fact that W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law was able to win that case outright and preserve both your driving privileges and your career represents the kind of result that only comes from combining 35 years of courtroom experience with an unrelenting commitment to every client’s future. That result was not built on promises; it was built on honest assessment, meticulous preparation, and the deep institutional knowledge of the Sangamon County court system that W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law has developed since 1989 — first as a former Assistant State’s Attorney who understands exactly how serious DUI cases are prosecuted, and then as a criminal defense attorney who has spent decades finding every available avenue to protect a client’s freedom, license, and livelihood. Whether the matter involves a felony DUI charge, a misdemeanor offense, or a career-threatening traffic violation in Springfield, Illinois, my approach has always been the same — straight talk, no empty promises, and an absolute determination to get results. Knowing that a self-employed livelihood and five years of hard work are still intact because of the representation W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law provided is the kind of outcome that defines why this work matters.

Posted by anonymous | February 18, 2021 | Hired Attorney

Great Defense Attorney

Scott was dependable which mattered when you are hiring someone to represent your life. He will talk you through anything and you can question anything he tells you if you may not understand it entirely. He will work with you to grant you not only justice but peace as well.

W. Hanken

Replied last May 27, 2026

Dependability is not a small thing when the stakes are this high — it is everything — and building a practice that clients can genuinely rely on through every uncertain and stressful stage of a serious legal matter is a standard W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law has pursued without compromise throughout more than 35 years of criminal defense practice in Springfield, Illinois. Every client who walks through this door deserves an attorney who not only knows the Sangamon County court system inside and out but who also takes the time to explain every development clearly, welcomes every question without reservation, and never leaves a client feeling uninformed or uncertain about where their case stands — because real representation means pursuing both the best possible legal outcome and the peace of mind that comes with knowing you are in capable, honest hands. That dual commitment to justice and to genuine peace is not incidental to the work W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law does — it is the very heart of it, and has been since 1989. Thank you for articulating that so perfectly, and for trusting this office with something as important as your life.

Posted by anonymous | February 10, 2021 | Hired Attorney

Great lawyer

We hired Mr. Hanken for a dui charge. He got the case down to reckless driving. Very knowledgeable and a great lawyer!

W. Hanken

Replied last May 27, 2026

A DUI charge reduced to reckless driving is a genuinely significant legal outcome in Illinois — eliminating the mandatory license suspension, the BAIID requirement, the lasting stigma of a DUI conviction, and the long-term insurance consequences that follow a full DUI finding — and achieving that result is precisely the kind of experienced, strategic DUI defense that W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law has delivered for clients throughout Springfield, Illinois for more than 35 years. That reduction does not happen without a thorough understanding of how DUI cases are built, where they are vulnerable, and how to leverage every available legal avenue before the Sangamon County court system — and that is exactly the institutional knowledge W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law has developed since 1989, first as a former Assistant State’s Attorney and then as a dedicated DUI defense attorney who has spent decades protecting clients from the full weight of a DUI conviction. Knowing that your family can move forward without a DUI on the record is the outcome this office fights for every single time. Thank you for the trust you placed in W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law — it was a privilege to deliver the result you deserved.

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