Theodore J. Harvatin

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.

DUI & DWI

Traffic Tickets

Suspended License

• 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.
• 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

U.S. Federal Court

Since 1983

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.

https://www.harvatinlaw.com/theodore-j-harvatin.html

DUI Will Travel: When Drunk Driving Cases Cross State Lines.

Illinois Bar Journal

August, 2011

Strategies in Handling DWI and DUI Cases: Driver’s License Hearings with the Illinois Secretary of State

Lorman Educational Services

June 22, 2006

Court Supervision in Traffic Cases: New Strategies for Amended Laws

llinois Bar Journal

April, 2006

MDDP, RDP, and CDL issues, DUI and Traffic Law Update, Naperville, Illinois

April 12, 2019

Illinois State Bar Association Traffic Law and Courts Section Council

CDL issues, including "masking"; Court Supervision Updates, DUI and Traffic Law Update, Hoffman Estates, Illinois

April 13, 2018

Illinois State Bar Association Traffic Law and Courts Section Council

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

October 6, 2017

Illinois State Bar Association Traffic Law and Courts Section Council

Additional topic: Suspensions for traffic law violations, supervision, CDL and GDL issue.

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

April 7, 2017

Illinois State Bar Association Traffic Law and Courts Section Council

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

September 15, 2016

Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Q. In an aggravated DUI, will the driver still get a felony if the victim was also under the influence?

November 12, 2023

A: Your question is unclear. I can’t tell who is being charged, you, your son, or someone else? I’m not even sure who was driving. But in any event, if someone is charged with drunk, driving in an accident in which someone suffers “great bodily harm“ it can be charged with a felony regardless of the intoxicated state of the injured person. If you are saying they are offering to drop it to misdemeanor. They can do that, but not required.

Q. Hi! So, I made an SR22 filing with my insurance company - as the courts mandated me to. Does this get reported to them?

October 28, 2023

A: SR 22 is mandated by law. The Secretary of State not the courts monitor it. The exact purpose of SR 22 is that the insurance company electronically reports to the Secretary of State once a month that you have minimum financial responsibility coverage of $25,000 in the event you are involved in an accident in which you are at fault. Therefore, if you have a SR 22 in the insurance company is properly reporting, it will show up as being in effect every month.

Q. While driving my truck got ticket from police that i moved before school bus goes(stop sign arm put back in) in indiana

October 7, 2023

A: He can file a motion for pretrial discovery of the video.

If you are convicted, your Illinois drivers license will be revoked. You will need to obtain a drug and alcohol evaluation complete all necessary classes and have a hearing with the secretary state. If you refuse the testing that refusal is sent to Illinois, you will be suspended for a year if this is your first offense. That suspension can happen even if you are not convicted of DUI.

He should try and get a disposition of reckless driving.