In California, if convicted of any felony [like burglary], you potentially face one or more years in prison, plus fines; on any misdemeanor [like DUI], you potentially face up to 6-12 months in jail, plus fines and other penalties.
You are always entitled to represent yourself in court. Whether you should is a different issue. The conventional wisdom is that an attorney will be able to do a better job and get a better outcome. Prosecutors don’t like dealing with ProPers, unless you are simply pleading guilty, not defending the case.
When arrested or charged with any crime, the proper questions are, can any testimony or evidence obtained in a test, search or confession be used against you, and can you be convicted, and what can you do? If you don't know how to represent yourself effectively against an experienced prosecutor intending to convict, then hire an attorney that does, who will try to get a dismissal, diversion program, reduction, or other decent outcome through plea bargain, or take it to trial if appropriate.
Keep in mind a little free advice: When charged or arrested for DUI, whether alcohol or drugs, then upon release from jail or booking the defendant is given documents that include a notice that you have only ten days to file a request with DMV for a hearing on an appeal of an automatic one-year suspension of your license imposed by DMV. That is separate and runs consecutively with any suspension that may be imposed by the court. Contact DMV and do so, timely, then appear at your scheduled DMV appeal hearing and present any supporting evidence and testimony. If you don't know how to do these things effectively, then hire an attorney that does.
If serious about hiring counsel to help in this, feel free to contact me.
