MDMA Charges in Hudson County, NJ
How Can a Hudson County Ecstasy Defense Lawyer Help Me?
If you’ve been arrested on drug charges, it’s critical to contact an experienced New Jersey drug crimes defense attorney at William Proetta Criminal Law right away. Our team has decades of experience successfully dismissing and reducing drug charges. Founding partner William A. Proetta is among New Jersey’s top criminal defense attorneys, earning multiple professional honors including Top 40 Under 40 National Trial Lawyers and a perfect 10.0 rating on Avvo.
We’re dedicated to defending clients whose freedom and livelihoods are at risk because of drug charges. With deep experience and a thorough understanding of the local criminal justice system, we’re ready to deploy our full legal team to fight for you.
Our experienced defense team work hard to defend our clients. We recently had a client’s drug distribution case downgraded to a municipal ordinance violation. resulting in just a small fine. Another case that could have resulted in jail time for a distribution offense, we were able to have it downgraded to a simple marijuana possession charge and a conditional discharge.
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What Is MDMA and the Effects of MDMA Under New Jersey Law?
MDMA is a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance. Thus, New Jersey law categorizes possession of MDMA in any amount as a third degree crime.
New Jersey makes it illegal to possess certain drugs or chemical substances known to produce a high, substance abuse, and those with the propensity toward chemical dependency. Each drug that is illegal to possess is listed in the New Jersey Drug Schedules. Specifically, Schedules I through V outline controlled dangerous substances and chemical compounds that are entirely banned or regulated within the state.
Per the National Institute for Drug Abuse, MDMA, or 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, is a synthetic psychoactive drug chemically related to the amphetamine class of stimulants. It is a stimulant and entactogen with mild hallucinogenic effects that can affect mood, perception, and feelings of emotional closeness. The high typically occurs by taking ecstasy in pills or tablet form, while molly is more commonly found as off-white powder or crystal form, which then impacts the user’s brain.
Users often feel the effects within 30 to 60 minutes, with peak effects at about 75 to 120 minutes and a duration of roughly 3.5 hours. Some drugs sold as ecstasy or MDMA tablets may contain different ingredients, bulking agents, little or no pure MDMA, and varying dose levels, with the average content often falling between 70 and 120 mg. Specifically, brain activity changes, causing an increased level of the pleasure by producing the chemicals dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin.
The effects of MDMA can include elevated heart rate, increased blood pressure, and muscle tension, and the most serious short-term health risks are hyperthermia and dehydration, which can be fatal, while over-hydration can also cause dangerous electrolyte imbalances and organ failure. MDMA has no accepted medical use, is generally classified as Schedule I, is also controlled internationally under the UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and is therefore illegal in New Jersey, except for limited research or medical use in some places.
Our team of Hudson County criminal defense attorneys at William Proetta Criminal Law is dedicated to defending clients charged with drug crimes and other criminal offenses in Jersey City, Hoboken, Kearny, Union City, North Bergen, and throughout New Jersey. With years of experience practicing exclusively in the realm of criminal defense, our lawyers have gained extensive knowledge of the law and experience navigating the criminal justice system on behalf of our clients. From our local office in Jersey City, we advise and assist clients facing drug charges for MDMA possession, distribution, intent to distribute drugs in a school zone, and many other serious crimes for which the state punishes offenders harshly. We frequently defend individuals in Hudson County Superior Court, which is just minutes from our office. When you need help from a skilled drug defense lawyer for Ecstasy charges, contact us at (201) 793-8018 to discuss your case and your options in a free consultation.
What Are the MDMA Possession Penalties in NJ?
Long Term MDMA Possession Charges Under N.J.S.A. 2C: 35-10
New Jersey defines crimes under a series of statutes. Drug possession, specifically possession of MDMA, is set forth under New Jersey Statute Title 2C:35-10, subsection (a)(1). This section of the Criminal Code makes it an offense to possess the substance “MDMA, Ecstasy, or Molly” either knowingly, purposely, or constructively. Under subsection (a)(1) of the statute, a Schedule I substance such as MDMA is a third degree crime when possessed in New Jersey. If you are convicted of a third degree drug crime for MDMA, you can be assessed a fine of up to $35,000; ordered to serve time in NJ state prison for 3-5 years; mandated to pay a required Drug Enforcement Reduction Penalty of $1,000; and/or sentenced to up to 5 years of probation.
** Notably, a third degree MDMA possession charge may be resolved by way of admission into the Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) program, which is available to first-time offenders charged with certain felony crimes that do not require incarceration if convicted. PTI, once successfully completed, results in the dismissal of the charges.
Possession With Intent To Distribute And Distribution of Illicit MDMA (ECSTASY) Under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5
MDMA Distribution Penalties by Quantity
If you have the misfortune of having more than a small amount of MDMA, drug packaging supplies, or other potential evidence of intent to sell, you can be charged with distribution of Ecstasy or possession with intent to distribute under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5.
Recreational MDMA is commonly sold in nightlife settings such as clubs, festivals, and house parties, so quantity and packaging can quickly attract police attention. Dose matters medically as well, since low doses can still be harmful, high doses increase the danger, and taking MDMA with alcohol, LSD, other drugs, or certain prescription drugs can raise the risk and contribute to serotonin syndrome symptoms, while an overdose can cause coma or death, with the estimated fatal dose being roughly 15-16 times a typical recreational dose. Possible long term effects include anxiety, depression, and trouble concentrating, and ecstasy users may need more to get the same effects. Evidence suggests repeated use carries increased risk, and people who stop taking MDMA may experience withdrawal-like symptoms.
Specifically, if you have less than one half ounce, you could be charged with possession with intent to distribute MDMA in the third degree, faced with jail time of up to 5 years, and subject to an increased fine of up to $75,000.
Being in possession of more than half an ounce but less than 5 ounces of MDMA will increase the degree of the charges to a second degree crime for distribution or possession with intent to distribute. The court may then sentence you to 5-10 years of incarceration and there is a presumption of incarceration even with no prior criminal record. Fines and mandatory penalties increase as the degree of the crime increases.
Lastly, you can be convicted of the most serious crime in New Jersey, a first degree crime for MDMA possession with intent to distribute or distribution, if your case involves an amount greater than 5 ounces. If convicted of a first degree crime, a 10-20 year state prison sentence and a fine in as much as $500,000 may be imposed.
Contact a Hudson County MDMA Attorney Who Can Help MDMA Users
When it comes to MDMA charges in New Jersey, the jail and fines are certainly harsh for those convicted. Once a sentence is ordered in your case, you are then forced to carry a criminal conviction on your record that can be viewed by landlords reviewing rental applications, colleges and college loan institutions, potential employers, and many other interested parties. But all is not lost if you have been charged with an MDMA possession or distribution offense. You have the right to a strong defense crafted and executed by the most experienced attorney at your disposal.
If you or a loved one has been charged with MDMA possession or distributing Ecstasy in Hudson County, protect yourself and get dedicated advice of counsel. Call William Proetta Criminal Law today at (201) 793-8018 to discuss your case with an attorney. With local offices in Jersey City, we provide aggressive defense representation for those facing drug charges in Bayonne, Secaucus, Guttenberg, Weehawken, West New York, and surrounding communities. Our Hudson County Drug Crimes Lawyers are always available to provide you with a free consultation, so don’t hesitate to get help now.