MDMA/Ecstasy Offenses

Possession and Distribution of MDMA Attorney in Burlington County, New Jersey

You probably heard of Ecstasy or “E” if you attended rave parties in the 80s or music festivals today. Ecstasy is generally seen as a party drug, a feel-good drug, making people warm up to fellow partiers and friends. Sometimes, it is used on the club scene and at bars in cities in New Jersey and across the country. It is a Schedule I street drug that federal and state governments consider dangerous and illegal today. When you are under arrest for MDMA in New Jersey, also known as Molly, you will likely face incarceration and expensive fines. Consulting with a talented drug defense attorney at Proetta, Oliver, & Fay can allay your fears for the worst, as we have successfully handled numerous cases involving possession, distribution, selling, manufacturing, and being under the influence of Ecstasy/MDMA throughout Burlington County. If you need assistance with your defense for Molly charges in Mount Laurel, Mount Holly, Burlington Township, Cinnaminson, Pemberton, Willingboro, Florence, Bordentown, or another community in South Jersey, simply call our lawyers for an immediate free consultation. You can reach us online or by calling 609-850-8284 to discuss the details of your case.

Understanding MDMA / Ecstasy

MDMA, or methylenedioxymethamphetamine, originated in 1912 by German chemists experimenting with a compound to control bleeding. However, its use changed over time. During the Cold War, the drug’s hallucinogenic properties interested the army and CIA as a potential mind control weapon. And in the 1970s, psychotherapeutic effects included increased patient communication in psychoanalysis, especially for PTS trauma. 

While psychologists called it Adam (referring to the original state of being), the drug has many names on the street, including Molly, Mandy, E, Ecstasy, Rolls, Peace, Go, Hug Drug, XTC, X, Biscuit, Disco Biscuit, Eve, Beans, and Clarity. Users take it in colorful pills, tablets, or capsules. They can also snort it in powder form or drink it in liquid form. Molly is the encapsulated powder, considered pure, but the drug is often cut with other harmful drugs like methamphetamine. 

Classification of MDMA on the Drug Schedules in NJ

By the 80s, the drug became the favorite party street drug at electronic dance parties or raves, inciting the government to schedule the drug on the highest and most dangerous tier, Schedule I, with heroin, LSD, and marijuana. Schedule I drugs are those most often abused and have no accepted medical or therapeutic use. Out of five Schedule categories, Schedule I contains the most dangerous drugs for addiction and abuse. Despite its categorization and being illegal to possess or distribute in New Jersey, Molly or E remains prevalent in the party and club scene.

Effects of Molly, Ecstasy, MDMA on Users

The drug MDMA acts on dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, chemicals in the brain that control autonomic nervous and limbic system functions, such as energy, heart rate, blood pressure, mood, appetite, and sleep, among other functions. Dopamine produces an uptick in energy, while serotonin elevates mood and engages hormones connected to emotions that evoke trust, empathy, and sexual arousal. The dopamine and serotonin boost make this drug particularly addictive. 

The attraction of Ecstasy is in the speedy and hallucinogenic high, causing an energetic euphoria. Users report mood and perception alteration and feelings of empathy, emotional intimacy, and sexual arousal. Side effects include a racing heart, blurred vision, chills, muscle tension, nausea, and dizziness. It can also raise blood pressure and body heat, making it deadly in higher temperatures. The effects of Molly can last from three to six hours, and the aftereffects range from irritability and aggression to diminished sleep and appetite.

Charges for MDMA Possession in Burlington County

Ecstasy is a controlled dangerous substance and illegal to possess knowingly. You can get three to five years in prison and pay a $35,000.00 fine for having it on your person (actual possession) or someplace within your control (constructive possession), such as your bedroom or your car. The possession of MDMA, Molly, Ecstasy is codified in section N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10 of the NJ criminal statutes. It is a third degree crime to possess MDMA, whether you actually or constructively have it. 

When the police arrest an individual with MDMA, the charges depend on the quantity of the drug in possession and the location. Small amounts indicate drug possession for personal use, and larger amounts, along with packaging and marketing items, suggest an intent to sell or distribute the drug. These crimes are more serious and come with more severe consequences.

Distribution of Ecstasy and Possession of Molly / MDMA with Intent to Distribute in NJ

It is illegal to distribute or possess MDMA with the intent to distribute according to N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5. Distribution is a broad term that can mean selling or giving the drug to others. And the amount of MDMA determines the degree of the crime. So, an arrestee may face third, second, or first degree distribution or possession with intent to distribute Ecstasy charges, given the facts of the scenario.

It is a third degree crime to distribute or possess with the intent to distribute less than half an ounce of Ecstasy. For distribution of a half-ounce up to five ounces, an individual faces a possible second degree criminal conviction, and it is a first degree crime to distribute or possess with the intent to distribute five ounces or more of MDMA. 

A conviction for distribution or possession with the intent to distribute comes with harsh penalties. A third degree distribution conviction results in up to five years of incarceration and $75,000.00 in fines. Second degree distribution carries a five-to-ten-year sentence with up to $150,000.00 in fees, and first degree distribution convictions can result in up to 20 years in prison and up to $500,000.00 in fines. A conviction could also mean a six-month to two-year driver’s license suspension. 

Furthermore, distribution or possession with intent to distribute MDMA within 1,000 feet of a school zone or 500 feet of a public park is a separate third degree crime with a mandatory minimum sentence. That means the convicted individual must serve the greater of one-third or one-half of their sentence. They are only eligible for parole once they serve that mandatory minimum sentence.

Contact Ecstasy Defense Lawyers in Mount Holly NJ

There is no getting around the fact that drug crimes in New Jersey are serious business, including those involving Ecstasy/MDMA. If you were caught with Molly and charged with possession or distribution, you need the help of a lawyer with a successful track record of handling cases like yours. Within a short time of speaking to you, an experienced criminal defense lawyer at our Burlington County criminal defense firm can begin to examine the details of your case and offer possibilities for you to improve your prospects of the best outcome. For example, you may be eligible for a diversionary program or probation if you have a clean record. Entry into the Pretrial Intervention Program would allow you to avoid a jail or prison sentence and instead, spend time in a supervised program tailored to your needs. Other programs like the Veterans Diversion Program and Drug Court offer alternatives as well, such as drug rehabilitation, education, and testing, rather than prison. 

However, you may also be eligible for probation if you have mitigating circumstances and a clean record. There are also legal defenses that can be employed and skillfully carried out to suppress key evidence in your case and get your charges dismissed outright. Perhaps you did not know you had Molly, or the police confiscated drugs from you without a search warrant or probable cause, violating your constitutional rights. Our MDMA defense attorneys can request the discovery in your case, evaluate every detail, and determine whether you have a sound defense warranting the dismissal of your case or a not-guilty verdict. Get advice of counsel and start defending your Molly, MDMA, and Ecstasy charges today by contacting the law offices of Proetta, Oliver, & Fay. Contact 609-850-8284 for a free consultation with a lawyer on our team now.