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Claude Ashton Van Hook III
About Claude
Biography
Claude Ashton Van Hook III of Deland, FL is a former felony chief of Prosecution of Seminole County. He is also a board certified expert criminal trial attorney who offers reliable and high quality legal counseling and services. He has 40 years of experience in the criminal law practice.
Practice Areas
2
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Florida for 55 years
State: Florida
Acquired: 1971
No misconduct found
Location
Law Offices of Claude Ashton Van Hook III
536 W New York Ave, Deland, FL, 32720
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Claude Ashton Van Hook III's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 28 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by anonymous | December 20, 2022 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Excellent representation! A communicative and very professional lawyer.
Mr Van Hook represented me when I was in college. He did so in a way that allowed me to maintain a clean record, and communicated with me throughout the process. He was a very kind man, a pleasure to work with, and did a hell of a job for me. I'm glad I chose him to represent me, and I HIGHLY reco...
Posted by Ron | October 18, 2022 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Best DUI Lawyer
Mr. Van Hook has represented me multiple times, for a reason. He has managed to not get me charged with DUI due to his vast knowledge and specialties in such matters. In the most recent time he was able to get the case dropped by getting the traffic stop itself deemed unlawful. I don’t think one coul...
Posted by anonymous | May 14, 2022 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Mr Claude Van Hook lll
Mr Claude Van Hook lll was very professional. I had my first DUI case ever so I had a lot of questions for him And he was always available and made time for me. He managed to get my DUI down to a reckless instead. I hope never be in trouble again, but if I did I would definitely call him again.
Posted by anonymous | June 23, 2021 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Great lawyer
Mr. Vanhook is a great lawyer he did a good job with my case and had all the charges dropped.
Posted by Jordan | April 27, 2021 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Professional and Proficient
Mr. Van Hook went above and beyond all expectations. He is professional and thorough. He helped my daughter who was facing 5 years (in adult felony court) reach a deal with the state for just 6 months juvenile probation. He never stopped fighting for my daughter and the injustice of her charges. He w...
Claude Ashton Van Hook III's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Mr. Van Hook for many years, and he is a knowledgeable attorney and a zealous advocate for his clients. Mr. Van Hook is very well respected in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I have known Claude Van Hook for over 30 years. I would highly recommend him to anyone who has a criminal problem in the Volusia County area. Claude has successfully tried hundreds of cases and does an outstanding job in the courtroom. He also is a very ethical lawyer who has an honest relationship with his clients."
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington
Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 30
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Geoffrey is a superb criminal defense lawyer. He is aggressive, compassionate, and fights like a warrior for his clients."
"I endorse Claude. He is a highly skilled trial lawyer that aggressively fights for the rights of his clients."
"Mr. Van Hook is the best criminal defense attorney I know. I have known him for over 20 years and have found that he is one of the only attorneys I can trust. He is the heavyweight that you want in your corner."
"I endorse Claude A. Van Hook III , a Board Certified Expert in criminal trial law. I have known him for more than 20 years, since I was a prosecutor Volusia County. He represented some of the people that I prosecuted. I found him to be extremely competent, hard working and dedicated to his many clients. I would, and do, recommend this attorney to those charged with criminal offenses and would not hesitate to retain his services if I were in need. He is among the very few in this county who are certified experts in criminal trial law."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Claude to be a skilled and competent criminal trial lawyer for almost 30 years. He has tried about every kind of criminal case known and was a pioneer in defending against the State's use of DNA evidence in criminal cases."
John Stanton
Criminal defense lawyer
Gregory Wagner
Criminal defense lawyer
Astrid de Parry
Estate planning lawyer
A McNeilly
Criminal defense lawyer
James Weart
Criminal defense lawyer
Michael Herring
General practice lawyer
Experience
Honors
2015
2015 Premier 100 Trial Attorney, American Academy of Trial Attorneys
2014
Nationally Ranked Superior DUI Atty, National Advocacy for DUI Defense
2013
Board Certified Criminal Trial Law since 1992, The Florida Bar
2007
Re-Certified Criminal Law, Florida Bar
2002
Re-Certified Criminal Law, Florida Bar
1997
Re-Certifed Criminal Law, Florida Bar
1992
Board Certified Criminal Law, Florida Bar
1984
Who's Who In American Law, Marquis Who's Who Publications Board
1981
Model Citizen Fireman of the Year Award, Gallager Reality
1969
American Jurisprudence, University of Florida School of Law
Work Experience
1977 - Present
Board Certified Crminal Trial Attorney, Claude Ashton Van Hook, III Law Office
1980 - 1983
Teacher educator, Seminole Community College
1973 - 1976
Chief of the felony division, Seminole County State Attorney's Office
1972 - 1976
Prosecuting Attorney, Seminole County State Attorney's Office
Associations
1995 - Present
Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyersmember
1992 - Present
The Florida Bar Board Certified Lawyersmember
1980 - Present
Volusia County Bar Associationmember
1973 - Present
American Bar Associationmember
1976 - 1977
National College of District AttorneysMember
1975 - 1977
National District Attorneys' Associationmember
Sample of Legal Cases
State v. P. S.
Reduced to 2 misdemeanors
State v. B
Entered into deferred prosecution agreement. Charges dropped in about 3 weeks
State v. J.J.
DUI completley dropped in return for a plea to a dry reckless, that is to say, not alcohol related.
State v R.B.
Dropped to a misdemeanor of resisting without violence, time served, adjudication withheld, no probation, no jail time.
State v. S. W.
State nolle prossed(state completeley dropped the charges).
State v. J. S.
State nolle prossed(dropped) the DUI and the DWLS for insufficient evidence. Client walked.
State v. S.
State nolle prossed(dropped) the DUI.
State v. G
DUI nolle prossed(dropped)
State v. C
Nolle Prossed(dropped)
State v. R. C.
Nolle Prossed. State appealed the suppression. Suppression upheld by 5th DCA.
State v. K
DUI nolle prossed(dropped)
State v. T
Nolle Prossed(dropped)
InThe Interest Of B.Y.
State nolle prossed(dropped) the charges on 4 -19- 2013
Education
1970
University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1967
Bellmont Abbey College
BA - Bachelor of Arts
1963
DeLand High School
High School Diploma
Speaking Engagements
1990
DeLand Middle School
Civil v. Criminal Law
1984
Stetson University
Truth and Lies
1984
DeLand Police Department
Defending DUI Cases
1983
Stetson University Class taught by Kindred
Truth and Lies
1983
Optimist Club of DeLand, Fl.
DUi Law
1983
Deltona Jr. High Law Week
Criminal Law
1983
DeLand Jr. High School
Criminal Law
1982
Stetson University Class taught by David Thomas
Van Hook Trials
1982
St. Peters
Crime and the Bill of Rights
1982
Seville Elementary Law Week
Mock Trial Presentation
1982
DeLand Jr. High Law Week
Criminal Law
1981
St. Peters Catholic School, DeLand, Fl.
Crime and the Bill of Rights
1981
Kiwanis Club of DeLand
Criminal Law
1981
DeLand Jr. High
Auto Accidents and Manslaughter
1980
DeLand Jr. High
Plea Bargaining, Death Penalty, Voir Dire Techniques
1980
DeLand High School Law Week
Sexual Battery, Due Process, Capital Punishment
1979
West Volusia Legal Secretaries
Criminal Procedure
1979
DeLand Jr. High Law Week
1976,77,78 changes in criminal law, Juvinile law, branches of government
1979
DeLand High School Law Week
Sexual Battery, Due Process, Legal Misconceptions
1978
Lake Brantley High School
The law
1978
DeLand Jr.High School
4th, 5th, and 6th Amendments
1978
DeLand High School
Sexual Battery and Due Process
1977
Lake Brantley High School
4th, 5th, and 6th Amendments
1976
Lyman High School
Child Abuse
1976
Lyman High School
Sexual Battery
1976
Delivered 30 speeches at schools and service clubs through out Volusia and Seminole Counties from 1976 to 1990
The Law
1976
Bankers Security Seminar
Worthless Checks
1975
Sanford Plaza Merchants
Worthless Checks
Publications
2019
27 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 633
State v. R. R
2017
25 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 202
State v. M.H.
2016
24 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 974
State v. A.R
2014
22 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 604
State v. W.T.
2013
20 Fla. L.Weekly Supp. 430
State v. J..S.
2012
19 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 1031
State v.S.
2011
18 Fla, L.Weekly Supp. 1176
State v. N.G.
2011
18 Fla.L. Weekly Supp.863
State v. R.C.
2011
18 Fla.L.Weekly Supp 522
State v. K.T.
2011
18 Fla,L.Weekly Supp 470
State v. W. K.
2011
18 Fla.L. Weekly Supp. 1136
STATE v A. C.
Languages
English