If you are arrested for a criminal offence, you may be released at the scene through a Form 9 or from the police station through a promise to appear. If not, you will be held in custody, usually until the next morning for a bail hearing. You will need counsel (preferably counsel of your choice) to represent you at the bail hearing.
The bail hearing is to decide whether you are detained until your trial or whether you can be released from custody until your case is resolved or goes to trial. You need competent counsel to help get you out and also to make sure the conditions of your release are reasonable. No one wants to be under house arrest, curfew, or without a cell phone unless it is necessary. Duty counsel are available but are often dealing with several clients on the same day. It is strongly suggested that you retain your own counsel to represent you at this stage of the proceedings.