If you don't identify your state, as instructed, nobody will be able to guide you through the self-defense laws of your state.

There has always been a financial limit on who qualifies for a court-appointed lawyer - if you're not indigent, by whatever definition is applied in your undisclosed jurisdiction, you have to pay for your own lawyer.

If you have a basic "he says one thing, you say another" case, and you have a lawyer who credibly argues that for $2,000 they can secure a dismissal, if it were me I would find a way to get the cash.