When you are guilty you have no defense, and you just want to get it over with, that is the most important time to hire a criminal defense attorney. That is because when you are guilty, and you're going to take responsibility, it is that which the defense attorney can use and take to the state attorney and ask him for a more favorable plea. For example, if you have no prior offenses, and this is just your first mistake, this is something that can be used as leverage and possibly get the case dropped in exchange for community service as opposed to getting a withhold of adjudication or a flat out conviction.