BOR is right, if and when you go for arraignment, typically before such thing occurs you are offered a court appointed attorney if you are indigent (really, really broke). You will make your case to a person (usually a clerk or magistrate), and they decide if you qualify for a court appointed attorney. If they rule that you do not, unfortunatly you will have to take out a loan to retain an attorney, or enter the trial pro se (no attorney) and represent yourself (typically not a good idea)...or just plead 'guilty'.
Jail for shoplifting your first time for an item not constituting grand larceny, typically doesn't see jail time. But, if you plead or are found guilty, the conviction will stick with you for your entire life (unless your file is sealed or expunged).

