to secure a plea deal can they reduce murder to manslaughter and give a first termer the max on voluntary manslaughter

It's not illegal and it happens all the time.

If your cousin is committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice (formerlay known as the Youth Authority or CYA), he could potentially be detained...

Assuming all these charges arose from the same conduct, the maximum sentence would be seven years in state prison. (Three years for the firearms...

The court date is for your arraignment. At that hearing, the bailiff will give you a copy of the complaint, which is a (probably one-page)...

Is house arrest possible?

In Stanislaus County, the decision is made by the Sheriff's Department after sentencing. This means that there is always a chance that your...

Can one be disruptive in public and not get into trouble?

Yes, you can do stuff like put mayonnaise in your hair in front of In-n-Out Buger and become an Instagram star and never have to actually learn...

Well, it sounds pretty serious the way you describe it. But reduction from a felony to a misdemeanor without jail time might still be possible,...

Yes, you could. But the more important question is whether you should.

A lawyer said he can try to get my case dismissed before the first court date. But I would have to pay him first.

Never trust a lawyer who promises you a particular result.

What do I need to prove assault/ battery besides two broken arms?

What do you need? You need the police to believe your version of events.