Strictly speaking, you do not need a criminal lawyer. However, it is strongly recommended by both judges and lawyers all around that you retain a criminal defence lawyer.
Our criminal justice system is complex, hard to navigate, and adversarial. Without a lawyer, you would be fighting your charges without the nuanced understanding of the applicable rules and regulations that our lawyers have. You will also be going up against a knowledgeable and experienced prosecutor that has nearly unlimited resources at their disposal to ensure your conviction.
It is our general advice that you should always hire a criminal defence lawyer as soon as possible. Our lawyers have the necessary expertise not just to help you fight your charges but also to prepare for criminal investigations led by the police.