If you are looking at prison time or a criminal penalty, it is extremely important to hire a criminal defense lawyer. The legal system is designed and biased so that representing yourself in a criminal trial and expecting a good result is almost impossible. A great criminal defense lawyer knows the ins and outs of the legal system, and may be able to spot certain arguments and factors that could mitigate or even negate a potential crime.
Hiring a criminal defense lawyer has multiple benefits and provides you the opportunity to the best possible outcome for your trial, which you would not be able to achieve on your own.