Although you are not required to have an attorney to plead guilty, you should definitely speak to an attorney before deciding to plead guilty. Even if you are being offered a plea deal or leniency in exchange for pleading guilty, an attorney can review any plea offer the police have made to you to determine if such an offer is in your best interest, or if you may be able to secure a better deal through negotiation, or even if you may be better off fighting your charges.