It is advisable, even if you do not intend to be represented in court by a lawyer, to get some legal advice before your first court appearance. If you appear in court unrepresented, one of the first things the magistrate will ask you is whether you have had legal advice, and if the answer is “no”, your case may be adjourned for you to get some.
The Legal Services Commission website provides information about legal advice. You may also be able to get legal advice on the day you are in court from the duty solicitor. The duty solicitor is a lawyer who is at the court to give free legal advice to people attending court that day. Duty solicitors are available at most criminal court sittings, mainly to assist people who have been arrested overnight, or who have not been able to obtain legal help beforehand.
The legal aid section has information on where else to get legal advice.