Latest news with #CPCS
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Criminal defendants are being held without lawyers in Mass. as bar advocates refuse new cases
More than 50 people across Boston and neighboring Middlesex County are being held without a lawyer assigned to their case as bar advocates across Massachusetts continue to refuse to take on new cases, according to the Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. In a statement Monday evening, the association said the growing number of unrepresented people in Massachusetts, which it says has grown to exceed 240 in just Boston and Middlesex County, represents a crisis. As of last week, roughly 40 people in Boston were being held in custody without a lawyer, and more than 150 were unrepresented, the association said. In Middlesex County, which includes Cambridge, 16 people are being held without lawyers and 90 people accused of crimes are awaiting a court-appointed attorney, according to the statement. Read more: A right to an attorney? Court-appointed lawyers are refusing cases in Mass. over low pay It was not immediately clear what the statewide totals were, but the association indicated there are 'many others who remain locked in custody with no one as their voice.' The association's president, Shira Diner, said the numbers reflected a 'full-blown constitutional breakdown.' 'The right to counsel is not a luxury. It is a bedrock principle of our justice system, guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment and by Article 12 of the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights,' Diner said. 'When people are jailed without lawyers, the system ceases to be just — or constitutional.' Bar advocates are independent defense attorneys who represent those who can not afford lawyers. They are not part of the state's public defender agency, the Committee for Public Counsel Services. Those attorneys have been refusing to take on new cases amid a pay dispute. The association says bar advocates in Massachusetts are paid far less than those in neighboring states. 'The unsustainable pay structure has led to an exodus of experienced attorneys and an inability to recruit new ones — with the result that hundreds of accused individuals find themselves in legal limbo," the association wrote in a statement. Read more: Bar advocate revolt over low pay expected to balloon across the state Anyone in custody for more than seven days without representation can be released under state law. If a lawyer is not assigned in that timeframe, courts are either forced to violate a person's constitutional right to an attorney or release them without due process, the association said. 'People accused of crimes are sitting in jail cells without a lawyer,' Diner continued. 'Others are missing crucial opportunities to gather necessary evidence and are left with nothing but uncertainty.' A spokesperson for the trial courts said the state's court system has been 'in communication' with CPCS 'in an effort to reduce disruptions due to the work stoppage by Bar Advocates.' Bar advocates handle about 80% of criminal cases for defendants who can't afford attorneys in Massachusetts courts. Mass. weather: Central Mass. could see over 1 inch of rain on Tuesday Some Nantucket short-term rentals in jeopardy after land court decision Big Y plans changes to its Tower Square store Mass. labor groups rally against ICE arrest of California union leader Driver taken to hospital after truck crashes into telephone pole in Belchertown Read the original article on MassLive.
Irish Examiner
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
The JCB driver who turned 'men's work' into her passion
Driving some of the most iconic diggers in the world in front of tens of thousands of people might sound like a dream come true for many little boys. But for Laure Ashton, the only female member of the world-famous 'Dancing Diggers', joining the team meant so much more. Her remarkable journey took her from training as a secretary to driving JCBs on a world stage. The 13-strong team of digger operators are based in a quarry in Staffordshire, England, owned by JCB, which is used for demonstration purposes and only puts on the high-octane stunts and acrobatics for very special occasions — including appearances for royalty and as part of the Top Gear Live tour. Team leader Matthew Lucas explained the performances stem back to 1962, when JCB founder Joseph Cyril Bamford was demonstrating the machines to a customer at the factory. 'The customer was not quite convinced that the machine was strong enough for what he needed, and so he decided to put his own Cadillac car underneath a machine that was stood up. He left for lunch and, by the time he returned, he was convinced,' Matthew said. 'After that, they realised it was a great way of demonstrating the machines when customers came to the factory. They added more equipment, some music, and that's how it all began. When we do these routines, really, the idea is to show people the power, the strength, stability, and ruggedness of the machines.' The Dancing Diggers' stunts aim to show people the power, the strength, stability, and ruggedness of the machines. Picture: Brian Thompson Photography All of the machines used this week belong to customers and were sold by Northern Ireland dealer Dennison JCB. 'The machines are no different from how they were when they were purchased. We haven't changed anything to make them stand up … other than adding the pyro kits for the fireworks,' he said. While the team is famous for its digger choreography, dancing is only one aspect of the job. 'We travel the globe to demonstrate the machines, not just to dance them. We are trained to demonstrate and do installations,' Matthew said. 'But also we have to wash them and clean them,' adds ex-military digger driver Jack Fowkes, who joined the team in recent years. 'It isn't just a case of turning up and getting in the cab.' Like Jack, many of the other members of the troupe have operated diggers in their previous careers. Veteran member Nigel Walker, for instance, used to drive them on farms before he joined the team, giving him over 20 years of combined experience driving JCBs. 'We all go through professional CPCS [Construction Plant Competence Scheme] training with the Construction Industry Training Board — that's where you learn how to operate a digger for construction. In the team, you typically start on a Loadall and work your way up to a backhoe,' Matthew added. This year's performance at Balmoral, Scotland, not only marked their return to the show for the first time in more than 30 years — it also debuted a new routine created by a choreographer. 'What we normally do is go to a site, see what space we've got, see what machines we've got, and make it there, and then tailor it with the music to suit the country we're in. 'For example, here we had to slow the speed down to preserve the lawns. 'We have really enjoyed being here. It's been a great experience. The Irish people are good fun. Everybody we speak to wants to know about what we do and 'have the craic'.' The Dancing Diggers at the 2025 Balmoral Show. Picture: Brian Thompson Photography The impressive line-up of machines sourced by the local dealer included the one millionth 4CX, signed personally by Mr Banford. The model includes dual drive, which allows the operator chair to rotate in sync with the direction of travel of the machine. One crowd favourite, skiing beneath the backhoes in the Loadall, was Laure Ashton — the sole female on the team. Her incredible story, from secretary to global JCB demonstrator, has inspired many. Laure has been with JCB for three years, previously working on the Loadall backhoe assembly line. 'My family are so proud, and my children are so proud of me,' she said. Her favourite machine is the 370X Excavator. 'I like them because they are bigger. Bigger is always better,' she laughs. But Laure's journey hasn't been an easy one. As a child, she was strongly discouraged from pursuing anything that might be considered a 'man's job'. 'When I was a little girl, I remember I said to my mum I want to go to engineering school. I asked if could I do something in like electricity, or anything in engineering? ''No, no, no, no, it's for boys,' I was told. I said: 'Okay, mom, I want to do masonry.' And it was the same: 'No, no, no. It is for boys. You're not going to do that. The best thing you need to do is secretary training.' 'So I've been to secretary training, learning typing, shorthand … that kind of thing. 'When I got married to my husband, he was farming and had a few trucks. I said to myself: 'I've got it. That's where I'm going to learn, improve myself , and get driving the tractors, driving the big machines. 'When I started driving tractors, oh, that's nice. I love that. Then I start driving it all the time. When the JCB job come along, I applied for it. 'The farm really inspired me, because that's when I realised this is what I want to do — driving big machines.' Even more impressively, her move into machinery came when she was already in her 40s. 'I wanted to finish having all my children first and get them to school before I applied for JCB. So then when my son — who is my youngest — started primary school, I said: 'There we go. This is my time.' 'My husband wasn't thrilled at first, but I told him I was doing it, and I did.' Her advice to young girls interested in diggers? 'Go for your dream — do what you love and you are happy to do it. It might be a men's job, but I'm happy to do it and I'm glad to be part of such a great team.'
