Illinois Times readers have voted W. Scott Hanken Best Attorney in the paper’s Best of Springfield 2026 results, published October 29, 2026. It isn’t the first time Springfield readers have given Scott this honor, and it means just as much every time.

To every client, family member, colleague, and neighbor who took the time to vote: thank you.

How Best of Springfield Winners Are Chosen

Best of Springfield is a readers’ poll, not a staff pick. Each year, Illinois Times invites readers to nominate their favorite local people, places, and businesses, and the nominees with the most support advance to a final round of voting. The winners reflect what the community chose.

That is why this recognition matters to the firm. It comes from the people of Springfield and Sangamon County, many of whom have sat across the desk from Scott during one of the hardest moments of their lives.

What the Illinois Times Profile Highlighted

In its Best Attorney profile, Illinois Times described Scott as a Springfield native and sole practitioner who defends clients in felony and misdemeanor cases, including DUI and traffic offenses. As Scott put it, he handles everything “between speeding tickets and first-degree murder.”

The profile also traced his path: a graduate of the former Griffin High School, a political science degree from Marquette University, and a law degree from Creighton University. Scott began his career as a Sangamon County assistant state’s attorney before moving into private practice and focusing on criminal defense.

What an Award Can — and Can’t — Tell You

A readers’ award says something real about how a community regards an attorney. It does not predict the outcome of any particular case, and no ethical attorney will promise you one. If you are choosing a criminal defense attorney, here is what is worth weighing:

• Local courtroom experience: An attorney who practices in the Sangamon County courthouse every week knows its procedures, its timelines, and how cases there tend to move.
• Prosecution background: Scott started on the other side of the courtroom. Knowing how a charge is built helps in finding where it is weak.
• Who handles your case: At a solo practice, the attorney you meet with is the attorney who works on your case.
• What past clients say: Scott holds an Avvo 10.0 “Superb” rating and more than 270 five-star Google reviews.
• Straight answers: A good consultation should leave you with an honest read on your situation, not a sales pitch.

Facing a Charge in Sangamon County?

If you have been arrested, charged, or contacted by police, a few early steps protect you:

• Use your rights. You have the right to remain silent and the right to ask for a lawyer before answering questions. Learn more in Can an Illinois Prosecutor Argue That Asking for a Lawyer Shows Guilt? and Pleading the Fifth in Illinois: What You Need to Know.
• Keep your paperwork. Hold on to every ticket, bond sheet, and notice, and write down your court date.
• Stay off social media about your case. Posts can become evidence. See Social Media Evidence in Illinois: Posting Guns or Drugs.
• Talk to a defense attorney early. The sooner an attorney reviews your case, the more options tend to be available.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Further Reading

Related Articles

• Can an Illinois Prosecutor Argue That Asking for a Lawyer Shows Guilt? — If you’re worried that asking for an attorney makes you look guilty, start here.
• Pleading the Fifth in Illinois: What You Need to Know — What staying silent actually protects, and when it applies.
• Can the Police Lie to You? Illinois Interrogation Rules — Read this before you sit down for “just a few questions.”
• Social Media Evidence in Illinois: Posting Guns or Drugs — Why your phone can hurt your case after an arrest.
• Can a Lawyer Handle a Traffic Ticket for Me in Sangamon County Court? — For the “speeding ticket” end of the range: whether you even need to go to court.

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• Criminal Defense
• Hiring a Criminal Defense Attorney
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Ready to Fight Your Criminal Charge in Springfield?
Call W. Scott Hanken at (217) 544-4057 or contact us online for a free consultation. We serve clients throughout Springfield, Sangamon County, and Central Illinois.

About the Author: W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law
Scott Hanken is a Springfield, Illinois criminal defense attorney with over 37 years of experience, including service as a former Sangamon County prosecutor. He has been voted Best Attorney by the Illinois Times and State Journal-Register, holds an Avvo 10.0 “Superb” rating, and has earned over 270 five-star Google reviews. He serves clients throughout Sangamon County and Central Illinois.

📍 1100 S 5th St, Springfield, IL 62703 | ☎ (217) 544-4057 | 🌐 hankenlaw.com

This article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique — contact an experienced Springfield criminal defense attorney for guidance on your specific situation.