Just take the first plea deal that's offered to you. Good or bad advice? Do you think that first finance deal they offer you and slide across the table is the one that you should settle on? Of course not. If you go in without a lawyer and the DA offers you a deal the first day you get there, you don't need to be jumping on the first deal that's offered to you because it might not be your best deal. A lot of people say, "Well, I wanted to hire a lawyer, but they gave me the public defender." The public defender is a lawyer. Now, the good news about that lawyer is he's free. Get representation even if you can't afford it. The appointed attorney is always better than representing yourself.