What happens when you go to court?

Need a little more info so I can pass it along. I know someone that has been charged with a crime. He went for his first appearance and was told what the charges were, possible sentences and released on a signature bond. His next court date is next week and he has tried to hire a lawyer and a family member is willing to pay for it, the only issue is they wont have the money until AFTER the court date. Since the next appearance is when he would have to plead guilty, not guilty or no contest, is he SOL or not? He isn't guilty of what he was charged with, just being stupid and naive is more of what he is guilty of. Well, lets put it this way, he deposited a check and the bank told him that it would place a hold on it for 5 days I think it was, on the fifth day they said funds were available so he went to the bank, withdrew some money and the next day the bank let him know the check was fraudulent. Anyhow, getting back to my original point, if he pleads not guilty and the judge sets another date for trial, is there still time for him to hire a lawyer?