Most Recommended DUI and Traffic Violation Experts

W. Scott Hanken is a Springfield, Illinois criminal defense and DUI attorney with 37 years of legal experience, including service as a former Sangamon County Assistant State’s Attorney. I was born in and have remained a lifelong resident of Springfield, Illinois. I attended Griffin High School and completed my undergraduate 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. I attended Creighton University School of Law and earned my Juris Doctor in 1989. After law school, I served as a legal clerk and intern at several firms in Omaha and completed a 711 internship in the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office, which led to my appointment as an Assistant State’s Attorney. As a former prosecutor, I tried a wide range of criminal, traffic, and DUI cases and developed the skills needed to navigate the criminal justice system from both sides. I entered private practice in 1990, and my work has centered on criminal, traffic, and DUI defense ever since. Over 37 years of practice, I have defended cases ranging from routine traffic matters to capital murder charges. My goal in every case is the same: to listen, communicate, and provide the strongest possible defense for clients facing criminal charges. Education Creighton University School of Law, Omaha, Nebraska - J.D. - 1989 Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin - B.A. - 1985 Honors: 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/Criminal Defense, Super Lawyers, 2007 Top Criminal Defense Lawyer Superb 10.0 Rating, Avvo, 2010-2014 Avvo Lawyers Rating 10, Avvo, 2011 Client's Choice Award - Criminal Defense, Avvo, 2012 Top Contributor - Criminal Defense, Avvo, 2013 Top 200 DUI Attorneys - Illinois (National Advocacy for DUI Defense), 2013 Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers - Illinois (American Society of Legal Advocates), 2014 Avvo Rated 10 Superb, Avvo, 2014 Superior DUI Attorney (National Advocacy for DUI Defense), 2016 Ten Best Attorneys - Criminal Defense (American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys), 2016 Best DUI Attorney - Top Rated, Expert Network Distinguished Lawyer, 2017 Ten Best Attorneys - Criminal Defense (American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys), 2017 Avvo Rated Top Lawyer, Avvo, 2017 Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorney, Attorney and Practice Magazine, 2018 America's Most Honored Professionals, The American Registry, 2018 Three Best Rated - Best Business, DUI & Criminal Defense, ThreeBestRated.com, 2018 Client's Choice Award - Criminal Defense, Avvo, 2018 Avvo Rated Top Lawyer, Avvo, 2018 Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorney, Attorney and Practice Magazine, 2019 America's Most Honored Professionals - Top 10%, The American Registry, 2019 Nations Premier - Top 10 Ranking (National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys), 2019 Best of Springfield - Lawyer, Illinois Times, 2019 Avvo Rated Top Lawyer, Avvo, 2019 Best of Springfield - Law Firm, Illinois Times, 2020 America's Most Honored Lawyers - Top 5%, The American Registry, 2020 Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorney, Attorney and Practice Magazine, 2020 Top Ranking Attorney - Criminal Defense (American Association of Attorney Advocates), 2020 Three Best Rated - Best Business, ThreeBestRated.com, 2020 Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorney - Best of the Best, 2020 Nations Premier - Top 10 Ranking (National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys), 2020 Lawyers of Distinction, 2020 Top Attorney - Annual List of Top Attorneys, Premier Lawyers of America, 2020 Avvo Rated Top Lawyer & Client's Choice Award, Avvo, 2020 America's Most Honored Lawyers - Top 1%, The American Registry, 2020 Best of Springfield - Best Lawyer, Illinois Times, 2021 America's Most Honored Lawyers, The American Registry, 2021 Lawyers of Distinction, 2021 Distinguished - Very High Rating in Legal Ability & Ethical Standards, Martindale-Hubbell, 2021 Avvo Rated Top Lawyer & Superb Rated Lawyer, Avvo, 2021 Best of Springfield - Best Lawyer, Illinois Times, 2022 America's Most Honored Lawyers - Top 10%, The American Registry, 2022 Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorney, Attorney and Practice Magazine, 2022 Top Ranking Attorney - Criminal Defense (American Association of Attorney Advocates), 2022 Top 10 Law Firm, National Recognition, 2022 Three Best Rated - Best Business, ThreeBestRated.com, 2022 Lawyers of Distinction, 2022 City's Best Award, Springfield, 2022 Elite Lawyer - Top Attorneys, Criminal Defense, Elite Lawyer, 2022 Distinguished - Very High Rating in Legal Ability & Ethical Standards, Martindale-Hubbell, 2022 Avvo Rated Top Lawyer & Superb Rated Lawyer, Avvo, 2022 Best of Springfield - Best Lawyer, Illinois Times, 2023 America's Most Honored Lawyers - Top 3%, The American Registry, 2023 Most Awarded Lawyers, American Registry, 2023 Top Law Firm - Criminal Defense, America's Best Advocates, 2023 Top 10 Attorneys - Criminal Defense, America's Best Advocates, 2023 Best of the Best Attorneys - Top 10, 2023 Best DUI Lawyer - Springfield IL, Expertise.com, 2023 Three Best Rated - Best Business, ThreeBestRated.com, 2023 City's Best Award, Springfield, 2023 Ten Best Attorneys - Criminal Defense (American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys), 2023 Lawyers of Distinction, 2023 Distinguished - Very High Rating in Legal Ability & Ethical Standards, Martindale-Hubbell, 2023 Avvo Rated Top Lawyer & Client's Choice Award, Avvo, 2023 Best of Springfield - Best Lawyer, Illinois Times, 2024 America's Most Honored Lawyers - Top 3%, The American Registry, 2024 Distinguished - Very High Rating in Legal Ability & Ethical Standards, 35th Anniversary Recognition, Martindale-Hubbell, 2024 Avvo Client's Choice Award & Top Contributor, Avvo, 2024 Best of Springfield - Best Lawyer, Illinois Times, 2025 Community's Choice Award - Springfield (SJR / Official Community's Choice Awards), 2025 Top 3 Best Rated Criminal Defense Lawyers, ThreeBestRated.com, 2025 America's Most Honored Lawyers - Top 3%, The American Registry, 2025 Distinguished - Very High Rating in Legal Ability & Ethical Standards, Martindale-Hubbell, 2025 Avvo Rated Top Lawyer & Superb Rated Lawyer, Avvo, 2025 America's Most Honored Lawyers, The American Registry, 2026 Top 10 Criminal Law Firm Dedicated to Justice - Illinois, 2026 Avvo Top Contributor & Rated Top Lawyer, Avvo, 2026 Lawyers of Distinction, 2026 Law Eagle of America, 2026 Super Lawyers - DUI/Criminal Defense, Super Lawyers, 2007-2026 (20 consecutive years) Avvo Superb Rated Lawyer (10.0) & Top Rated Lawyer, Avvo, 2011-2026 Avvo Top Contributor - Criminal Defense, Avvo, 2012-2026 30th & 35th Anniversary Recognition - Distinguished Rating, Martindale-Hubbell, Ongoing Nation's Top One Percent (National Association of Distinguished Counsel), Ongoing Top 100 - The National Trial Lawyers, Ongoing Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers - Illinois (American Society of Legal Advocates), Ongoing Top 200 DUI Attorneys - Illinois (National Advocacy for DUI Defense), Ongoing Premier Lawyers of America - Top Tier Lawyers, Ongoing

Joel Brand is a California criminal defense attorney whose practice is focused on DUI. He handles cases statewide, from first offenses through felony filings, appearing in criminal court and at DMV administrative hearings. He can speak to how these cases actually work: what a breath or blood test does and does not prove, why field sobriety tests are scored the way they are, why the DMV license suspension runs on a separate track from the criminal case, and what California's diversion rules do and do not allow. He follows the appellate decisions shaping this area, including the recent rulings on whether California's diversion statutes reach DUI charges at all. Joel writes and publishes DUI.guru, a public library of more than 200 plain-language articles on California DUI law. He earned his J.D. from UC Law San Francisco.

I have been a criminal lawyer since 1989. My law practice focuses exclusively on defending people charged with any type of crime or impaired driving cases.

Steven M. Sweat is the founding attorney of Steven M. Sweat, Personal Injury Lawyers, APC, a plaintiff-side personal injury and wrongful death firm based in Los Angeles, California. With more than 30 years of experience exclusively representing injured individuals and the families of wrongful death victims, Steven has dedicated his entire legal career to fighting for those harmed by the negligence of others — never representing insurance companies or corporate defendants. Steven's firm handles a wide range of serious injury cases, including automobile and motorcycle collisions, truck accidents, traumatic brain injuries, catastrophic injuries, premises liability, pedestrian accidents, rideshare crashes, and wrongful death claims throughout California. All cases are handled on a contingency-fee basis, meaning clients pay nothing unless compensation is recovered. Recognized consistently as one of California's top personal injury attorneys, Steven holds an Avvo 10.0 "Superb" rating, has been named to the Super Lawyers list every year since 2012, and is a member of the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. He is an active member of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA), the Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC), and the American Association for Justice (AAJ). Beyond the courtroom, Steven is committed to educating the public about their legal rights. He publishes regularly on victimslawyer.com and the California Accident Attorneys Blog, produces legal educational content on his YouTube channel (@InjuryLawyerSteveSweat), and has contributed to national legal publications including the National Law Review.

Jason Turchin is a national victim's rights attorney with more than 23 years of experience representing individuals and families in complex personal injury, wrongful death, product liability, life insurance, cruise ship injury, and consumer protection matters. He has handled thousands of claims involving motor vehicle accidents, defective products, catastrophic injuries, insurance disputes, and dangerous consumer products, giving him firsthand insight into the legal and practical issues that affect victims nationwide. Jason is frequently sought for commentary on breaking legal and consumer safety news, including product recalls, automotive defects, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence and liability, cruise passenger rights, insurance claim denials, wrongful death litigation, premises liability, and emerging trends in personal injury law. He filed one of the early lawsuits involving Takata airbags, which became part of the largest automotive recall in U.S. history affecting more than 80 million vehicles. He also authored Automotive Product Liability for Self-Driving Vehicles, published by Westlaw Journal – Automotive, and has studied autonomous vehicle liability and AI-related legal issues for more than a decade. Beyond litigation, Jason closely follows developments involving the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), NHTSA investigations, FDA safety communications, product recalls, and emerging technologies that may create new legal risks for consumers. He regularly analyzes how engineering decisions, patents, government investigations, and safety standards intersect with product liability litigation. Jason has been interviewed or quoted by national and international media, including CNN, CBS News, Bloomberg, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Newsweek, NBC, Rolling Stone, and numerous other national and local television and print outlets. He is known for translating complex legal issues into practical, understandable guidance for consumers and journalists alike. Journalists frequently contact Jason for timely commentary on: Product recalls and consumer safety Autonomous vehicles, AI, and automotive liability Personal injury and wrongful death Insurance claim denials and life insurance disputes Cruise ship injuries and passenger rights Dangerous products and product liability litigation Litigation trends, mass torts, and consumer protection

Nisan Zaghi is an Associate Attorney at Consumer Attorneys whose practice is dedicated to protecting consumers from credit-reporting errors, unfair debt-collection practices, and background-check inaccuracies under statutes such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Before joining the firm, he sharpened his litigation skills at a boutique patent-litigation practice and later represented individuals in consumer-protection cases, gaining a valuable mix of technical insight and client-focused strategy. Nisan is motivated by the belief that businesses must be held accountable when they cut corners or defraud everyday people. Restoring a client’s reputation - and often their livelihood - gives him genuine professional satisfaction. To deliver the best possible client experience, he stays readily available, answers questions promptly, and keeps each client fully informed as their case unfolds. He earned his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law on a substantial scholarship and holds a B.S. in Biology from Brooklyn College, where research-heavy coursework honed the analytical mindset he brings to complex credit-report disputes. Admitted to practice in New York and New Jersey state courts and in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, he is positioned to litigate most consumer-protection claims arising in the Northeast. Nisan is an active member of the New York State Bar Association, staying current on developments in consumer law and collaborating with advocates across the state. Outside the office, Nisan enjoys hiking, swimming, and spending quality time with his wife and children - pursuits that keep him grounded and energized for his clients’ battles.

I have represented hundreds of clients charged with misdemeanor and felony charges in Baton Rouge and throughout other areas of Louisiana.

I am a Southern California criminal defense attorney, founder of Moments Law, and commentator on California criminal justice issues. My work focuses on the intersection of criminal law, substance use disorders, mental health, homelessness, and public safety. Drawing on daily courtroom experience in Southern California Counties, I help audiences understand how California’s criminal justice system operates in practice, explain the impact of new legislation and court decisions, and provide clear, balanced legal analysis for television, radio, podcasts, and print media.

Thank you for visiting my profile. I would be glad to speak with you as a source. I am a Virginia-based attorney and founder of Lugar Law, specializing in high-profile cases involving personal injury, consumer rights, and criminal defense. She brings international legal experience, published thought leadership, and recognized courtroom strategy to her commentary. Cerid is available to provide timely insights on legal news and evolving jurisprudence.

Arvin Mousavi is a California lemon law and personal injury attorney and founder of Mousavi Law Firm in Woodland Hills. He represents consumers and injury victims across California against automakers, insurers, and negligent parties — handling defective-vehicle and recall claims, car, truck, motorcycle, and rideshare accidents, and emerging autonomous-vehicle (Waymo/robotaxi) injury cases. A UCLA School of Law graduate who previously practiced at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, he can explain lemon law, vehicle recalls, insurance disputes, and consumer rights in plain English and on deadline. Available for interviews and written commentary.

Lain Lawrence is a Colorado attorney and founder of Lawrence Law Firm in Aurora. His practice focuses on criminal defense, DUI defense, and personal injury cases involving serious motor vehicle accidents. He represents clients throughout the Denver metropolitan area, including Arapahoe, Adams, Douglas, and Denver counties. Lawrence regularly analyzes legal issues involving DUI investigations, police procedures, accident liability, and Colorado criminal law. His work often involves explaining how courts evaluate evidence, determine fault in car accident cases, and apply sentencing laws in criminal matters. He provides legal insight on topics related to impaired driving enforcement, criminal procedure, and insurance disputes following serious collisions.

I have been a criminal lawyer since 1989. My law practice focuses exclusively on defending people charged with any type of crime or impaired driving cases. I founded Kruse Law Firm in 1993 and our firm now has four offices throughout southwestern Ontario and Toronto. Our lawyers appear in all of the courts throughout central and southwestern Ontario. Specialties: Criminal Defence and Impaired Driving Defence

704-342-HELP Mecklenburg Union Iredell Lincoln Stanly Rowan NC

I’ve spent over seven years at Yonder Travel Insurance mastering the 'fine print' so travelers don't have to. My expertise lies in deconstructing complex policy language into clear, actionable advice, whether I’m recommending the ideal plan for a unique itinerary or guiding a client through the intricacies of the claims process. By maintaining key partnerships with top insurance providers, I stay at the forefront of industry trends to provide unbiased, expert insights that help travelers maximize their benefits and navigate the unexpected with confidence. I use this experience to craft insightful responses on behalf of Yonder to further educate the public on travel insurance, which you can explore in my featured articles section.

Attorney Matthew Weidner has been a passionate consumer warrior for nearly 3 decades. He's been featured in press around the world on a wide range of consumer/legal related topics. He's been profiled in New York Times Best Selling Books, and has been regularly quoted in Wall Street Journal, New York Times and the like. He has an active social media presence and has one of the most popular legal YouTube Channels with nearly 500,000 viewer counts. He operates a professional grade studio and is available for immediate appearances.