At W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law, I have been practicing law for over 25 years. Before starting my own firm, I worked as a prosecutor, giving me insight to both sides of these cases. I have a strong reputation in the legal community and I work tirelessly for my clients.
My firm represents clients throughout Sangamon County and surrounding areas including Morgan, Menard, Macoupin and Montgomery counties in Illinois. If you are facing criminal charges in the region, you need to take action to preserve the options available to you.
My practice is focused exclusively on criminal defense. Whether you have been arrested for drunk driving, received a speeding ticket or have been charged with a drug crime, I will be able to help you protect your rights. I will review your entire case to gain an understanding of the evidence that the prosecutors have against you, and help you decide how you wish to move forward.
Schedule A Free Consultation
To learn more about how an experienced criminal defense lawyer can help you defend yourself against whatever allegations you may be facing, please call my Springfield office at 217-544-4057.
Experience With Illinois Drunk Driving Law
Each state handles DUIs differently. Your most valuable tool in fighting a drunk driving case is an attorney with experience handling these cases in Illinois. I am defense attorney W. Scott Hanken, and I regularly handle standard DUI cases, as well as felony DUI and aggravated DUI cases. Some of my knowledge of the system comes from my time prosecuting these cases for Sangamon County.
Every DUI charge is a serious case, and I give my personal attention and focus to every client. Because I have fought so many drunk driving charges on behalf of my clients, I know the best approach to take on each case. I develop a personalized plan for clients based on their criminal history and the particular facts of their case.
Aggressive Central Illinois DUI Attorney
Being charged with drunk driving poses a risk to your freedom. Even your first DUI can result in up to a year in jail. The secondary effects of a DUI charge are huge as well. You will face a statutory summary driver's license suspension, which goes into effect automatically in 45 days if you do not challenge it.
The costs of a DUI charge range from hefty fines to lost wages for court appearances to missed work as a result of a license suspension. If you are required to have a breath alcohol ignition interlock device (BAIID) installed in your car, you will be responsible for all the costs associated with installation and maintenance of the device.
As an experienced and aggressive lawyer, I will do all I can to minimize the damage of your drunk driving charge. You cannot afford to take your case lightly.
Felony DUI
There are situations that can result in a drunk driving case being charged as a felony. When this occurs, the skill of your criminal defense lawyer is of heightened importance. Some of the factors that can cause a DUI to be charged as a felony are:
Prior DUI convictions
If you had a suspended license at the time
If you did not have insurance at the time
If your driving resulted in great bodily harm or death
There are countless individuals who have seen their lives ruined because of their drug problems. Many of these people are trapped in a bad situation, unable to get the help they need to regain control over their future. They continue to find themselves being arrested for a number of different crimes, and with each conviction, it becomes even more difficult to make the changes they need to make.
I know that these are serious cases. In my 25-year legal career as a prosecutor and defense attorney, I have seen the devastating effect that drugs can have on families. I want to ensure that those who are facing these charges have options available to them to be able to protect their future.
You Have Someone On Your Side
I will work with you to review your entire situation. I want to know how best to address the problems that you are dealing with, so that you are able to finally get the help you need. I have extensive experience defending in drug crimes cases including:
Manufacturing and delivering of controlled substances such as co***ne, crack, methamphetamines, ecstasy, ma*****na, synthetic drugs, look-alike substances and prescription medications
Possessing or selling of controlled substances
Protecting property in drug-asset forfeitures, which are civil proceedings connected with the criminal cases
A large portion of the services that I provide to my clients facing drug charges concerns evaluating the possible sentencing alternatives that may be available to them in Illinois. For some offenders, it may be possible to divert the case to drug court, where they will be able to receive the treatment that they need in order to regain control over their drug problems.
Other options that could potentially be available include first-time offender probation, impact incarceration or TASC probation. TASC probation involves the expungement of the arrest from the offender's record as long as he or she successfully completes the program, which is a major benefit to those who actually qualify.
Gun crimes have received a lot of attention from police and prosecutors in Illinois lately. Weapons offenses carry strong penalties, and often, there are several defenses that may be available to refute these allegations. Those who are arrested for the crimes need to remember that police are constantly gathering evidence against them, and they need to reach out to a lawyer as soon as possible.
I am attorney W. Scott Hanken, and I have over 25 years of experience dealing with the criminal justice system. Before starting my own firm, I served as a prosecutor. This has given me valuable insight into the way that prosecutors develop their cases, and allows me to know how to attack the evidence that they may have against you. No matter what charges you may be facing, I am ready to fight for you.
Assisting You Throughout Your Case - Including Trial
When building your defense, I analyze the actions of law enforcement. I want to know how they discovered the weapons in your case. I will then be able to explain what is available to you, and begin pursuing solutions that are focused on protecting your freedom. I have helped defend clients against a number of weapons-related offenses, including:
Battery with a firearm
Unlawful use of a weapon
Aggravated unlawful use of a weapon
Armed robbery
Armed habitual criminal
Possession of a weapon by a felon
Possession of a stolen weapon
Because of the serious nature of these crimes, it is likely that prosecutors will only offer deals that contain lengthy jail or prison time as part of the bargain. I am ready for trial from the very beginning of your case, so I will not be afraid to protect your rights and argue for you in court if a deal proves impossible.
Motorists traveling through the Springfield area know that law enforcement officers are constantly looking to issue tickets to those observed committing violations. These tickets can carry high fines and substantial penalties, depending upon the offenses charged and the motorist's prior driving history.
I provide skilled assistance to both in-state and out-of-state drivers facing Illinois traffic tickets. I have over 25 years of legal experience, working as a prosecutor before starting my own firm.
My main goal is to help you keep your license and stay on the road. I analyze the facts present in each ticket to determine the best possible course of action for your case. I am not afraid to step inside the courtroom to battle prosecutors or question law enforcement officers about your case.
I have helped a number of clients defend against traffic violations including:
Speeding tickets and reckless driving citations
Speeding in a work or construction zone
Illegal lane usage
Failure to obey traffic signals
Following too closely
Leaving the scene of an accident
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Driving while license revoked or suspended
CDL violations, including logbook violations, overweight trucks as well as equipment violations
Police know that many individuals will simply plead guilty and pay the fines because they cannot afford to take time out of their schedule to return and contest the ticket. In most cases, I will be able to appear on your behalf to fight these tickets, which will save you valuable time and money. You will not have to take time off of work or head back to town to offer up your defense.
Minimizing the consequences of these tickets is in your best interests. I will help you find alternative dispositions of these cases which can help keep the offense off of your record, as well as prevent other penalties such as increased insurance costs.
