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also known as Scott
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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.
Education3
Practice Areas
36 years
Free Consultation
$0 first 30 minutes
State: Illinois
Acquired: 1989
No misconduct found
Other places you can find W. online.
181 Client Reviews
Showing 46 - 50 of 52 reviews | Speeding & Traffic Ticket
Posted by anonymous | January 14, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Speeding & Traffic Ticket
Best decision ever
Scott represented my daughter after she got two tickets within two weeks. He handled it quickly and got us great results. I would recommend him for anyone who has license issues that need resolution.
Stepping in quickly to protect a young driver’s record after two traffic citations in rapid succession — and securing strong results for both matters — is exactly the kind of responsive, results-driven traffic representation that W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law has delivered for Springfield, Illinois families throughout the Sangamon County court system for more than 35 years. Two tickets within two weeks can set off a consequence cascade that young drivers and their families rarely see coming — accelerating insurance premium increases, triggering potential license suspension thresholds, accumulating points against a driving record that can take years to clear, and in some cases jeopardizing a young person’s ability to maintain the driving privileges essential to their education, employment, and independence. I understand the urgency that comes with protecting a young driver’s future, and W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law approaches every license issue, every traffic citation, and every moving violation with the same focused preparation and strategic resolve that I first developed as a former Assistant State’s Attorney and have applied to traffic and criminal defense matters in Springfield, Illinois without exception since 1989.
Posted by anonymous | April 28, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Speeding & Traffic Ticket
Grateful mother & son
We called Scott to help out for two tickets received by my 16 year old son. Being a new driver he made a couple of foolish mistakes on a holiday weekend, no less. Contacting him was the best thing I could have done! He not only helped us to know what to expect but also to advised us on what to do in ...
Posted by anonymous | November 14, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Speeding & Traffic Ticket
Highly Recommend
Mr. Hanken took care of my wife's citation by representing her in court. He clearly explained the options and gave us assurance that he would take care of things and not to worry. He was very clear and prompt with his correspondence and follow-up. Highly recommend him.
Standing beside a client — and their family — during a stressful legal matter and delivering a resolution they can feel confident about is what W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law is committed to every time I step into a Springfield, Illinois courtroom. Whether the matter involves a citation, a misdemeanor, or more serious criminal charges, my approach has always been the same since opening my practice in 1989: clear communication, honest counsel, and no unnecessary anxiety for the people who trust me with their case. I’m glad your family felt informed and at ease throughout the process, because that peace of mind is something W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law works hard to earn alongside every favorable outcome. Thank you both for the kind recommendation — it means a great deal.
Posted by Jen | July 25, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Speeding & Traffic Ticket
Very responsive and easy to work with
I reached out to this law office via their website about a ticket I received. Mr. Hanken got back to me right away and was very responsive throughout the process. Highly recommended!
Posted by anonymous | August 20, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Speeding & Traffic Ticket
Overweight Ticket
This was our first time as a company asking for Scott Hanken's assistance, and we couldn't be any more happy with the outcome of the trial and of his exceptional performance. Not only that, but with the lawyer we typically go through (and pay twice as much for), couldn't even get the ticket's dollar ...
I’m pleased that W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law delivered such a strong outcome for your company in the Sangamon County court system, especially by securing a significantly lower ticket amount than your previous counsel. With more than 35 years of criminal defense experience in Springfield, Illinois—including my time as a former Assistant State’s Attorney—I’m always focused on achieving the best possible results for clients facing criminal charges or traffic matters. Thank you for trusting my representation and for your confidence in returning for future needs.
"I endorse this lawyer. He is a very skilled attorney, well versed in the law, and he achieves great results for his clients."
"Scott is an excellent, experienced DUI/DWI attorney and has extensive experience in the criminal law area. I have known Scott for many years and know of his work - he is diligent and conscientious and represents his clients aggressively. He has handled routine matters all the way up to murder trials."
"I have known and worked with Scott since 1988. His knowledge of law and his keen wit have been his trademarks. His dedication to his clients is surpassed by few, if any. I enthusiastically endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. As a previous prosecutor I appreciate a reasonable attorney who can be a strong advocate for his client. Mr. Hanken does not wage unnecessary war when defending a client, but if the circumstances require it he is a formidable adversary. I would not hesitate to refer clients to him for criminal defense, indeed, i have done so."
"I endorse this lawyer. Scott gets great results on DUI cases. He does not overpromise what he can do. I receive a lot of calls from people who want to hire me because they are unhappy with their current lawyer. Not ONCE has the lawyer they are unhappy with been Scott."
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2020
BEST ATTORNEY, State Journal Register Reader's Choice Award
2020
BEST LAW FIRM, Illinois Times Best of Springfield
2020
TOP RATED LAWYER, Avvo
2018
Top 10 Attorney - Criminal Defense, Attorney and Practice Magazine
2018
Distinguished Lawyer, Expert Network
2015
Nation's Top One Percent, The National Association of Distinguished Counsel
2014
"10 BEST" Attorneys for the State of Illinois Nominee, American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
2014
Top 100 Trial Lawyer, The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers
2013
Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers - Ilinois, American Society of Legal Advocates
2013
Top 200 DUI Attoneys - Illinois, National Advocacy for DUI Defense
2011
Superlawyer - DUI Law, Super Lawyers
2010
Super Lawyer - DUI, Super Lawyers
2009
Super Lawyer - DUI, Super Lawyers
2008
Super Lawyer - DUI, Super Lawyers
2007
Super Lawyer - DUI, Super Lawyers
2007
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2011 - Present
Attorney, W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law
1992 - 2011
Attorney/Partner, Rabin, Myers & Hanken, P.C.
1991 - 1993
Public Defender, Sangamon County Public Defender
1989 - 1991
Assistant State's Attorney, Sangamon County State's Attorneys Office
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
2004 - 2005
Sangamon County Bar AssociationPast President
1993 - 2005
Sangamon County Defense Bar AssociationPresident
1992 - 1993
Sangamon County Bar AssociationDirector
1990 - 1991
Sangamon County Bar AssociationVice President
Natural Life Imprisonment
1989
JD - Juris Doctor
1985
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2009
2008
Aggravated DUI - Recent Developments
English
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Top Contributor
W. earned significant contribution points in 2012.
I paid half cash and half of my bond does my lawyer take the bond at the end of the case?
18 Feb 2023
When I look up my cases online it says I have a new charge w a unscheduled court appearance what does that mean?
18 Feb 2023
2021 I let my son use my car he get stop for no driving license they impond the car give him a ticket and later say they found ?
14 Feb 2023
VETERAN’S COURT: Veterans and Servicemembers Court Treatment Act
27 May 2019
What is a Preliminary Hearing?
14 May 2019
ILLINOIS ENACTS STIFFER PENALTIES FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICE USE WHILE DRIVING
22 Aug 2018