Free Consultation: (217) 525-0520Tap to Call This Lawyer
Lawyer Rating and Reviews
Legal Knowledge
5.0/5.0
Legal Analysis
5.0/5.0
Communication Skills
5.0/5.0
Ethics and Professionalism
5.0/5.0
Rating: 10 
Skilled, knowledgeable, excellent communication skills and timely actions as needed
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Summary
My practice is limited primarily to two areas, driver's license reinstatement and DUI. 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). This experiences has provided me with the opportunity to understand how the opposing side thinks and operates.
Practice Areas
- DUI & DWI
- Traffic Tickets
- Social Security Disability
Additional Practice Area
- Driver's License Reinstatement
Fees
- 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. - 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.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
- Illinois
Languages
- English
Professional Experience
- Owner
- Harvatin Law Offices PC
- - 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.
Education
- University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
- J.D. | Law
- -
- Knox College
- B.A. | Ecnomics and Business
- -
- Honors: Honors: Cum Laude Honors: Phi Beta Kappa
Awards
- Membership
- Mensa Society
- 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.
Professional Associations
- Illinois Trial Lawyer's Association
- Member
- - 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
- - Current
- Activities: Association of Illinois lawyers who work to improve the legal process.
- Sangamon County Bar Association
- Member
- - 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
Articles & Publications
- https://www.harvatinlaw.com/theodore-j-harvatin.html
Speaking Engagements
- https://www.harvatinlaw.com/theodore-j-harvatin.html
Websites & Blogs
- Website
- Theodore J. Harvatin's Website Profile
- Website
- Harvatin Law Offices PC Website
- Blog
- Illinois DUI Lawyer Blawg
- US Supreme Court to Rule on Whether an Officer Can Infer a Car is Being Driven By its Owner for Purposes of an Investigative Stop
14 May 2019 - Michigan Driving Commission Recommends Against Chemical Testing for Marijuana Based DUI Charges
25 April 2019 - Massachusetts Commission Recommends Extending Open Container Law to Marijuana
13 April 2019 - Maine Court Rejects DUI Defendant’s Gut Fermentation Defense Due to Issues with Experts
26 March 2019 - Arizona Court Upholds DUI Conviction Despite Invalid Consent to a Blood Draw
11 March 2019 - Georgia Court Rules that Evidence of a Refusal to Submit to a Breath Test is Inadmissible at DUI Trial
26 February 2019 - Illinois Court Rules Miranda Violations Do Not Preclude Statements in Statutory Summary Suspension Hearings
12 February 2019 - U.S. Supreme Court to Rule on Whether a Blood Draw from an Unconscious Driver is Unconstitutional
29 January 2019 - Illinois Court Finds the Motor Vehicle Code Does Not Impose Implied Consent to Chemical Testing Absent an Arrest
15 January 2019
Legal Answers
321 Questions Answered
- Q. Im currently under C. S. for a speeding ticket and just received a ticket for no proof of insurance. Will this effect it
- A: No. Go to court with proof of insurance. Ticket will be dropped.
- Q. I’m 16 and have a clean driving record. I was cited in Illinois for doing 26mph above posted speed.
- A: Try to get it reduced to 25 over. Try for supervision. Have your parents hire a lawyer.
- Q. I’m only 16 y/o and I only have my permit and i got crash with another car and my ticket is improper lane usage
- A: Your GDL restrictions will be extended. Go to court and ask for supervision. In order to do that you have to have a parent or guardian present and you will have to take a safe driving course. If the other driver does not show up in court asked that the ticket be dismissed. You might want to have your parents hire a traffic attorney
- Q. I got a traffics ticket for failure to yield/avoid an accident. The cop put an X in the box indicating No Court
- A: The cop was mistaken. The clerk is correct. This will probably benefit you because when you show up in court and the other side does not show up, and they rarely do, the case will be dismissed with no fine no traffic school
- Q. got a ticket for speeding last year and had court supervision and traffic school in Illinois. If I just got a ticket
- A: The circumstances you have described would not disqualify you from requesting supervision. It’s always up to the judge but it is not an automatic denial
- Q. Is there a way to avoid having to complete a SATOP course?
- A: When you apply, Illinois will check the national registry. Most likely you will be listed as “not eligible“ in Missouri due to not completing the required courses. If that happens, Illinois will not license you.
- Q. My daughter got her first ticket. She is 20 years old.
- A: In order to receive supervision both you and your daughter must appear. And she must take a safe driving course as part of her supervision. They don’t usually throw out a ticket just because it’s the first one.
- Q. Illinois had a DUI plead guilty for supervision... do I have to go back because of a red light ticket.
- A: Those are like expensive parking tickets. Not a moving violation and I doubt the prosecutor in your supervision case will even be aware of it and or care. If they do, they have to file papers and notify you.
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