It is your right to represent yourself in court. However, it is very complex. There are many nuances in Illinois criminal procedure, and it is easy to make a mistake. It does not matter how educated you are or how clear you think your defense is. Even lawyers are advised to hire counsel when involved as a party in a case. If you represent yourself, neither the judge nor the prosecutor is going to give you a break. The judge will advise you from the beginning to hire an attorney. If you do not take his or her advice, he or she is likely to have little sympathy for you. The prosecutor will view you as a novice, and could pursue the harshest possible consequences. You will not be advised of the long-term effects of a court disposition, such as losing your driving privileges, FOID card and eligibility for expungement.