Recent Successes

(By county)


Suffolk County (Boston)

  • Double First Degree Murder - As co-counsel on the case, secured acquittals for client on both counts of first degree murder and both lesser included counts of second degree murder. Client was released from custody the same day after a six week jury trial in Superior Court and after seven years in jail awaiting trial. Attorney Berquist and co-counsel took over the case and had just six months to prepare for trial.


  • Assault and Battery on Person 60 or older (Felony) - After a two day jury trial, Attorney Berquist successfully persuades jury to find client Not Guilty on theory of self-defense.


  • OUI - Liquor, Assault and Battery on a Police Officer & Resisting Arrest - Client acquitted after a one day jury trial in Suffolk County.

  • Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Knife) – won acquittal for client accused of felony assault. Jury deliberations lasted under 30 minutes.

  • Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon (Reduced to A&B prior to jury selection)  – won acquittal for client accused of serious assault and battery after a two day jury trial. 

  • Felony Larceny – successfully advocated for pretrial probation which shielded client from possible felony consequences as well as possible immigration consequences.

  • Assault & Battery on Family and/or Household Member – Dismissed prior to trial.


  • Identity Fraud; Threat to Commit Crime – Dismissed prior to trial.


  • Wanton Destruction of Property – won motion to have a key Prosecution witness excluded, case was dismissed before trial as a result.


  • Probation violation restitution – won motion terminating remaining restitution obligations. The violation of probation was dismissed and probation was terminated. 


  • Felony Larceny – After Attorney Berquist won several motions to exclude critical Prosecution evidence in this complex credit card fraud case, all charges were dismissed prior to impaneling the jury.

  • Assault on Family and/or Household Member; Threat to Commit Crime – successfully argued Motion to Dismiss the assault charge leaving only the threat charge which was ultimately dismissed prior to trial.



  • Felony Larceny – Attorney Berquist aggressively fought for missing discovery (evidence) in the case. After finding that critical evidence had been lost by the police, Attorney Berquist filed a Motion to Dismiss the charges based on lost evidence. Before the hearing on that motion, the prosecution agreed to dismiss all charges.

  • Assault & Battery on a Pregnant Person (felony) – Dismissed prior to trial after extensive investigation undertaken by Attorney Berquist and his investigator proving client was innocent.

  • Assault with Dangerous Weapon (Hockey Stick) (felony); Attempted Larceny (felony); Trespassing – won Motion to Dismiss the trespassing charge, the other charges were ultimately dismissed prior to trial.

  • Violation of Probation – successfully argued the violation of probation should be dismissed prior to surrender arraignment.


  • Probation Violation – was successful in getting the Probation Department’s crucial evidence thrown out, the violation of probation was then dismissed. 


  • Possession of a Class A Substance with Intent to Distribute (felony) – won Motion to Dismiss the “Intent to Distribute” portion of the charge reducing the charge from a felony to a misdemeanor simple possession.


  • Possession of Class A, B, C, & E Substances with Intent to Distribute (felonies) – won Motion to Dismiss the “Intent to Distribute” portions of all the charges reducing them from a felonies to misdemeanor simple possessions. All charges were eventually dismissed prior to trial. 

Worcester County

  • Assault and Battery on Corrections Officer - client acquitted after bench trial where Attorney Berquist successfully cross-examined the complaining witness, a corrections officer, and argued the client could not have committed the alleged offense.

  • Assault and Battery on Family/Household Member - After a one day jury trial in Worcester County, jury returns Not Guilty verdict in under ten minutes.

  • Assault and Battery on a Corrections Officer - won acquittal for client accused of A&B on Corrections Officer after bench trial.

  • Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle – won acquittal for client after bench trial. 

  • OUI Drugs – won acquittal for client after bench trial.

  • Affray; Assault & Battery; Disorderly Conduct; Resisting Arrest; Disturbing the Peace – Dismissed prior to trial.

  • Operating Motor Vehicle with Suspended License; Speeding – Dismissed at clerk’s hearing (prior to charges issuing).

  • Negligent Operation of Motor Vehicle; Operating Motor Vehicle with Suspended License – Decriminalized and converted to civil infractions. 

  • Assault & Battery Causing Serious Bodily Injury (felony) – Dismissed prior to trial.

  • Possession of Class E Substance – Dismissed prior to trial. 

  • Assault & Battery on Family and/or Household Member – Dismissed prior to trial. 

  • Possession of Class B Substance; Possession of Class E Substance –Won motion to suppress all evidence (police illegally seized & searched client’s property), all charges were subsequently dismissed. 

Norfolk County

  • Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Second and Subsequent Offense; Operating After License Suspended  – Client was facing potential 10 years in state prison in the Superior Court. Attorney Berquist successfully argued for client to avoid any prison sentence. Client sentenced to time served plus three years of probation. 

Cape & Islands 

  • Armed Robbery (life felony) – Dismissed prior to indictment.

  • Felony Larceny; Operating Uninsured Motor Vehicle; Operating Motor Vehicle after License Suspended– Dismissed prior to trial. 

Federal Court 

  • Motion to for Early Termination of Probation - won motion granting client early termination of federal probation.