A DUI conviction can derail life as you know it. It can lead to jail or prison time, hefty fines, license suspension or revocation, loss of employment, and damage to your reputation and career. Thinking about all of that can be stressful, for sure, but you shouldn’t let your fear of the possibilities paralyze you…
Continue reading ›No one wants to get pulled over for DUI, especially if you did have one or two drinks before you got behind the wheel. Even though you might be convinced you are not over the legal alcohol limit to drive, the entire experience can make you so nervous that you appear drunk. Police officers must…
Continue reading ›If you’re under investigation for committing a violent crime, then your freedom and your future is on the line. The pressure of this reality can be crushing, and it might drive you to act in a way that seems beneficial but actually turns out to be harmful to your criminal defense. This includes voluntarily talking…
Continue reading ›If an Illinois police officer suspects that you have been involved in a drug crime, it is likely that he or she will ask you some questions to gather as much information as possible regarding the alleged crime. If you are arrested, the officer may continue to interrogate you at the police station. Many people…
Continue reading ›Illinois residents who are facing a violent crime charge have plenty to worry about, from perceptions by others that they are dangerous to the potential sentence that could come with a conviction – likely to include years behind bars. In order to defend yourself against allegations of crimes of violence, you need to be prepared…
Continue reading ›If you’ve been charged with a DUI, then you’re probably worried about what the allegations mean for your future, especially if you’re a licensed healthcare professional. After all, a conviction could lead to jail time, a fine, driver’s license suspension, and harm to your reputation, but it can also have a devastating impact on your…
Continue reading ›Illinois has taken the lead of many other states across the nation and taken a more nuanced approach to marijuana. Although it is now legal to use for people 21 and older and those who are using it for medicinal purposes, it can still spark legal problems if the user is accused of driving under…
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Last Reviewed & Updated: September 27, 2026 By: W. Scott Hanken | Former Sangamon County Prosecutor | Springfield Criminal Defense & Violent Crimes Defense Attorney | Voted “Best Attorney” — Illinois Times Best of Springfield & State Journal-Register Reader’s Choice | Springfield, IL | Sangamon County | (217) 544-4057 | hankenlaw.com Yes. Self-defense is a…
Continue reading ›If you have been stopped by an officer in Springfield and given a traffic citation, it was likely based on the officer’s observations of your driving. The officer typically will put their observations into writing as part of the citation, generally claiming that you were driving recklessly or unsafely or violating a traffic law. However,…
Continue reading ›When you think of a drug possession charge, you may naturally believe it means someone was found with drugs physically on them. Therefore, you might be surprised and confused if you are arrested for drug possession when you did not physically possess any drugs. Your arrest was likely based on the theory of constructive possession.…
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