BOSTON —

Attacking a pregnant woman. Assaulting police officers. Gun offenses. Drunk driving. Violating an abuse prevention order.

In rapid-fire succession, criminal cases against defendants with these and other charges were dismissed Tuesday in a Boston courtroom, not because of a lack of evidence but because they haven't had lawyers for more than 45 days.

Here's how a prosecutor described one of the cases to the judge: "The defendant dragged the victim out of his car, punched her multiple times in the face, causing severe, noticeable injuries by the police officer."

But that case and many others — nearly 150 — were dismissed Tuesday in Boston Municipal Court as a result of the work stoppage by bar advocates — private lawyers who defend suspects who can't afford an attorney. They stop

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