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Scott A. Kent

Scott A. Kent

Location:
Wheaton, Illinois
Phone:
630-517-3177
888-646-3518
Fax:
630-696-4101
630-480-0692
E-mail:

Scott A. Kent has been a partner at the Law Offices of Martin and Kent, LLC for over two years. He is a native of Western Pennsylvania, where he developed a strong work ethic while growing up in the rural countryside north of Pittsburgh. He now lives in the western suburbs with his family. After graduating Cum Laude from Northern Illinois University, he attended the DePaul University College of Law, earning his Juris Doctorate in 1994. He focused on the field of criminal law while in law school and worked as an intern with the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office as a law student.

Mr. Kent has dedicated nearly his entire professional life to the area of criminal law. His experience includes a 13-year career as a prosecutor in DuPage County, where he resigned as a Senior Felony Assistant supervising of a felony courtroom. During those years he personally handled thousands of misdemeanor cases involving DUI, Domestic Battery, Battery, Retail Theft and Deceptive Practice. As a felony prosecutor Mr. Kent successfully tried over 700 cases including Murder, Home Invasion, Armed Robbery, Aggravated Battery and Forgery. He also served in the Drug Prosecution Unit for nearly three years, trying cases that included felonies for Possession and Distribution of Cannabis, Cocaine, Heroin, Ecstasy, and unauthorized acquisition of prescription medication. While in the Drug Unit Mr. Kent also handled cases regarding the seizure and forfeiture of property and vehicles. Those years of dedicated service resulted in Mr. Kent being highly respected among Prosecutors, Law Enforcement and Judges in DuPage County.

After leaving DuPage County, Mr. Kent served for a period of time as a prosecutor in McHenry County, working as a Senior Felony Assistant in the Special Prosecutions Unit and the Felony Screening Unit, where he personally held training seminars for police officers in nearly every locality on how to properly recognize and charge felony offenses. During his years as a prosecutor Mr. Kent received specialized training that resulted in his admission to the Illinois Capital Litigation Trial Bar, reserved for the most highly skilled attorneys authorized handle cases involving the death penalty.

Upon retiring as a prosecutor, Mr. Kent went directly into private practice in the field of criminal defense. Despite his connection to DuPage County Mr. Kent defends clients in Cook and all other collar counties. He has handled matters as far away as Rockford, Macomb and suburban St. Louis, gaining recognition throughout Illinois for his knowledge and skills as a trial attorney. Beyond defending cases in the trial court, Mr. Kent has also successfully represented clients in appeal issues, recently resulting in the Appellate Court overturning a felony conviction for Internet Solicitation.

Mr. Kent is a member of the DuPage County Bar Association, Kane County Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association, and he has been the Vice President of the DuPage County Criminal Defense Lawyer's Association for the past two years, including the new term for 2010. He is known for his dedication to his clients and his tenacity in defending those in need of help.

Areas of Practice

  • Criminal Law

Litigation Percentage

  • 90% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions

  • Illinois, 1994

Education

  • DePaul University College of Law, Chicago, Illinois
    • J.D. - 1994
  • Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, Illinois
    • B.S. (Cum Laude) - 1990
    • Honors: Dean's List
    • Minor: Political Science

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • DuPage County Bar Association, Member
  • Kane County Bar Association, Member
  • Illinois State Bar Association, Member
  • Chicago Bar Association, Member
  • DuPage County Criminal Defense Lawyer's Association, Vice President

Past Employment Positions

  • Wiley, Mulherin, Rehfeldt & Varchetto, Associate, 1994 - 1995
  • DuPage County State's Attorney's Office as a Law Student, Intern
  • McHenry County, Prosecutor

Martin, Kent & Reidy, L.L.C. DuPage County Attorneys

http://www.dupagecriminalanddui.com 888-646-3518 Martin, Kent & Reidy, L.L.C. in Wheaton, Illinois, handles all criminal cases including DUI and first-degree murder.

Case Results

Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance
Two of our clients had their drug charges thrown out at a preliminary hearing after a Judge found no probable cause to search. Additionally, the Judge determined the lab procedures by the State Crime Lab inadmissible. All of the $3,000 bond money was returned to the client.

Aggravated Battery
A client was acquitted following trial when the Judge ruled the State failed to prove their case after the Officer was cross-examined. The client avoided a felony conviction, jail time and the loss of his job.

Attempted Murder
A client charged with Attempted Murder who faced a prison term of 20-60 years in IDOC was released after only serving 120 days in a downstate boot camp.

Breath Refusal Case Won
• A first offender was found not guilty following a bench trial even though the Officer testified that the defendant didn't pass any of the Field Sobriety Tests. Uniquely, the Officer also testified that our client had red, bloodshot eyes, strong odor of alcohol and slurred speech. The trial Judge ruled that although the defendant might have been under the influence of alcohol, the totality of the circumstances did not amount to a conviction.

DUI Case Reduced on Dispatch Tape Evidence -- Eight Tickets Thrown Out
As part of defense measures, the Illinois State Police Dispatch Tapes were subpoenaed to court for inspection. Following a detailed examination, it was determined that the State Trooper failed to follow proper arrest and test procedure guidelines. This 19 year old client had her license saved and the eight accompanying traffic tickets were dismissed.

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