Theodore J. Harvatin

My practice is limited primarily to two areas, driver's license reinstatement and worker's compensation/personal injury. My background affords you a unique perspective.

For all of your professional needs, call Ted at 217-525-0520.

For 15 years, I heard driver's license cases as a contractual hearing officer for the Secretary of State (DMV). I previously represented insurance companies defending worker's compensation and personal injury cases. These experiences have provided me with the opportunity to understand how the opposing side thinks and operates.

• DUI & DWI
• Traffic Tickets
• Workers' Compensation

• Driver's License Reinstatement

• Free Consultation
  Initial telephone consultation with experienced and knowledgeable staff. I will follow up.
• Credit Cards Accepted
  VISA, Master Card, American Express, Discover and Electronic Checks.
• Contingent Fees
  For worker's compensation and personal injury matters.
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  For driver's license hearings, partial payment with balance not due until day of hearing, affording you the opportunity to budget your fees.

Illinois

Since 1981

Owner

Harvatin Law Offices PC

1981 - Current

I began practicing law in Springfield Illinois in 1981. In 2000, my partner became a judge, and I have been solo since that time. I formerly took on virtually any case. But the law has now grown too complicated for me to be "all things to all people". As a result, I limit my practice to a few areas, and I know the law in those areas quite well.

University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign

J.D. | Law

1978 - 1981

Knox College

B.A. | Ecnomics and Business

1974 - 1978

Honors: Honors: Cum Laude Honors: Phi Beta Kappa

Membership

Mensa Society

1981

Membership in Mensa is open to persons who have attained a score within the upper two percent of the general population on an approved intelligence test that has been properly administered and supervised. There is no other qualification or disqualification for membership eligibility.

Illinois Trial Lawyer's Association

Member

1986 - Current

Activities: Statewide organization whose members, through the courts, public opinion and the elective process, advance the interests of injury victims.

Illinois State Bar Association

Member

1981 - Current

Activities: Association of Illinois lawyers who work to improve the legal process.

Sangamon County Bar Association

Member

1981 - Current

Activities: Springfield is the seat of government for Sangamon County. Abraham Lincoln practiced law here. The Association strives to carry on the traditions of Lincoln to improve the delivery of legal services to our community.

Publications, speaking engagements and reported cases

Various.

2008

DUI and Traffic Issues for the Defense, Updates to legislation and administrative rules governing Illinois Secretary of State Driver's License Hearings.

January 1, 2016

DUI and Traffic Law Update, Updates to legislation and administrative rules governing Illinois Secretary of State Driver's License Hearings

January 1, 2016

Q. Pulled over doing 102 mph in a 70 mph. My IA driver's license was expired since April. Do I need a lawyer ?

15 October 2018

A: Yes. You are facing a misdemeanor and a traffic ticket.

Q. I got my first ticket ever driving 31mph over the speed limit in a construction zone. Will my license be suspended?

15 October 2018

A: No but it is a class B misdemeanor so you should try for a reduction in the speed and supervision

Q. I have gotten two speeding tickets with a GDL. Is there any way I can avoid a license suspension?

9 October 2018

A: Try for court supervision. If both are in same county get a lawyer. I recommend David Winer

Q. 1 d.u.i. only traffic offense ever, 11 years ago, sentenced to 365 in jail,how do i get D.L. back,

8 October 2018

A: You must have a hearing with the Secretary of State. You have to demonstrate that if you are given the right to drive you can do so without getting behind the wheel intoxicated. I do not understand how you were convicted of DUI in Sangamon County with ..095 BAC on a first offense. Anyway you should seek a lawyer for a better outcome on the hearing. There are hundreds of pages of rules that outline the requirements. If you see an informal hearing officer he or she will make it sound easy but there are lots of traps out there.

Q. I am on two court supervisions one that expires in November of this year and the other one for a year.

6 October 2018

A: There are too many variables to answer other than to say it depends. Nothing happens automatically so get a lawyer and get ahead of it.

Q. Hello currently i'm 20 and ill be 21 in 4 months and i just got my first ticket I was driving 20 over the speed limit

3 October 2018

A: No you will not be suspended if you are convicted but you can avoid a conviction by requesting court supervision.

Q. What are the best defenses for getting out of a DUI charge in IL?

2 October 2018

A: Honestly to have even the slightest chance you need a lawyer. I cannot remember a person not represented who beat a DUI. That is not to say that a lawyer will beat it but if that’s what you are hoping to accomplish you need to hire professional

Q. License pending suspension HELP PLS

30 September 2018

A: If the only reason the suspension is pending is bc you did not take the class, take the class.

Q. I got stopped by the state police and got a white paper.

28 September 2018

A: If indeed it was a ticket, the white one is the original that he is supposed to turn into the judge's clerk so they can make a file. The writing on the original would be "wet ink" or in other words, it would not look like a copy. It almost sounds like he never processed it. But I don't know for sure.