No, probably not if you're a first time offender. Most courts order fines, probation, alcohol programs, license sanctions, and community service. If you are a repeat offender, you stand a good chance of going to jail if you don't get an attorney. If you are charged as a third time offender, you are going to go to jail if you don't get an attorney. This is nearly guaranteed.

First time offenders risk losing their license for 30 days, with an additional 150 days of restricted driving privileges. If a plea to impaired driving is agreed upon with the prosecutor, the driver's license is not suspended at all, but it is restricted for 90 days.

For a first offense, if you don't hire an attorney, you're facing at least $300 and up to $500 in fines, plus court costs ranging from about $200 to $1,000, reimbursement to the police, probation oversight fees, and other mandatory fees.

1st Offense Misdemeanor (a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivisions (b) and (c) below, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by 1 or more of the following: (i) Community service for not more than 360 hours. (ii) Imprisonment for not more than 93 days. (iii) A fine of not less than $100.00 or more than $500.00.

2nd Offense Misdemeanor (b) If the violation occurs within 7 years of a prior conviction, the person shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $200.00 or more than $1,000.00 and 1 or more of the following: 5 days to 1 year and/or 30 to 90 days community service. (i) Imprisonment for not less than 5 days or more than 1 year. Not less than 48 hours of the term of imprisonment imposed under this subparagraph shall be served consecutively. (ii) Community service for not less than 30 days or more than 90 days.

3rd Offense Felony (c) If a person has two or more prior convictions, the person is guilty of a felony and shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $500.00 or more than $5,000.00 and to either of the following: 1 to 5 years imprisonment (Dept. of Corrections) (i) Imprisonment under the jurisdiction of the department of corrections for not less than 1 year or more than 5 years. OR: at least 30 days to 1 year with 60 to 180 days community service (County jail) (ii) Probation with imprisonment in the county jail for not less than 30 days or more than 1 year and community service for not less than 60 days or more than 180 days. Not less than 48 hours of the imprisonment imposed under this subparagraph shall be served consecutively.

(b) If the violation occurs within 7 years of 1 prior conviction, the person shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $200.00 or more than $1,000.00, and 1 or more of the following: (i) Imprisonment for not less than 5 days or more than 1 year. Not less than 48 hours of the term of imprisonment imposed under this subparagraph shall be served consecutively. (ii) Community service for not less than 30 days or more than 90 days.

(c) If the violation occurs within 10 years of 2 or more prior convictions, the person is guilty of a felony and shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $500.00 or more than $5,000.00 and either of the following: (i) Imprisonment under the jurisdiction of the department of corrections for not less than 1 year or more than 5 years. (ii) Probation with imprisonment in the county jail for not less than 30 days or more than 1 year and community service for not less than 60 days or more than 180 days. Not less than 48 hours of the imprisonment imposed under this subparagraph shall be served consecutively.

No, you do not need an attorney but it would probably be a very good idea to have one who knows what they are doing. Some lawyers know the law but are abrasive and not very good with people. This makes them ineffective in trial and difficult to negotiate with because they are annoying to the prosecutors/city attorney.