Well meaning friends can advise you that you do not need a solicitor when charged with particular offences. However before you decide that you don’t need legal representation you should take a look at the video below which looks at situations where you may be successful in an application for the Probation Act rather than having a criminal conviction imposed on you.
Being convicted can carry consequences far beyond a small fine on the day; for example if you ever decide that you would like to work abroad your conviction may well go against you.