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MDMA, Molly, and Ecstasy Charges

Ecstasy, molly, and similar drugs are forms of MDMA and classified as “hallucinogenic substances” under New York law.  Drug penalties in the state of New York have long been some of the toughest in the country.  If you are traveling to a rave, concert, or similar event in Nassau County, there is a good chance police will be on the lookout for drugs, and you may be stopped, searched, and arrested if you have ecstasy or molly with you.

Nassau County Molly, Ecstasy, and MDMA Charge Defense Lawyer

Stephanie Selloni is a criminal defense attorney in Garden City, Nassau County in Long island, NY, who represents clients on charges related to molly, ecstasy, and other forms of MDMA. She battles aggressively to protect her clients at every stage of the case. The District Attorney’s Office in Nassau County often seeks harsh penalties for offenses involving ecstasy, molly, and MDMA, especially after negative media attention regarding use of ecstasy at events such as the 2012 “Haunted Coliseum” show.

Success in fighting ecstasy and other MDMA charges is a result of thorough preparation and an aggressive approach to the defense. Filing all viable motions to suppress or exclude evidence, along with motions to dismiss the criminal charges, often puts the case on the best track for pre-trial negotiations.  In the event pre-trial negotiations do not lead to the ideal outcome, Stephanie Selloni is experienced in fighting ecstasy and other MDMA cases with motion practice, hearings and at trial. If you are facing ecstasy or other MDMA charges in and around Garden City, Floral Park, Hempstead, Mineola, Westbury,  or the surrounding areas of Nassau County, call the Law Office of Stephanie Selloni at 516-972-1212 today to set up your consultation.

In many of these cases, the prosecutor is not willing to offer the best possible deal until it becomes clear that the drug charge defense attorney is prepared to win a motion hearing or the entire case at trial. Ecstasy and other MDMA cases usually involve complicated motions to suppress evidence or dismiss the charges. Let Attorney Stephanie Selloni put her experience in fighting serious ecstasy and MDMA cases to work for you. Call 516-972-1212 today to discuss your case or set up an in-person meeting.

Ecstasy, Molly, and MDMA in Nassau County New York

MDMA (MethyleneDioxyMethAmphetamine) is more commonly known as “ecstasy,” “molly,” or “E.”  For purposes of New York law, MDMA is classified as a “hallucinogenic substance.” 

Sale and possession of MDMA is covered by Article 220 of the NY Penal Law.  You may be charged with “criminal sale of a controlled substance” if it is alleged that you knowingly sold a form of MDMA such as molly, or you may be charged with “criminal possession of a controlled substance” if it is alleged that you had MDMA but were not caught in the act of selling it.

Molly and ecstasy are commonly associated with raves, so police are likely to target enforcement at and near raves at the Nassau Coliseum and other locations.  If you are in a car full of young people traveling to or from a rave, there is a good chance that police will try to find an excuse to pull the car over and search it for ecstasy and other drugs.

Penalties for Ecstasy, Molly, and MDMA Charges in Nassau County New York

The penalties for ecstasy and MDMA charges in New York depend primarily on the amount involved and whether you intended to sell it or merely possessed it for personal use.  There are several levels of charges, and you will be charged with the most serious version that the prosecution thinks they can convict you of.

You will be charged with a class A-II felony if you are accused of selling or attempting to sell 5 grams or more of MDMA, or possession of 25 grams or more of MDMA, and conviction will result in:

  • 3-10 years in prison, even if you have no prior felony convictions
  • 6-14 years in prison if you have finished a nonviolent felony sentence in the past ten years
  • 8-17 years in prison if you have finished a violent felony sentence in the past ten years
  • Up to $50,000 in fines

You will be charged with a class B felony if you are accused of selling or attempting to sell a gram or more of MDMA (or selling or possessing with intent to sell any amount of MDMA at all if you have a prior drug conviction), or possession of 5 grams or more of MDMA, and conviction will result in:

  • 1-9 years in prison, even if you have no prior felony convictions, with possibility of probation
  • 2-12 years in prison if you have finished a nonviolent felony sentence in the past ten years
  • 6-15 years in prison if you have finished a violent felony sentence in the past ten years
  • Up to $30,000 in fines

You will be charged with a class C felony if you are accused of possession of a gram or more of MDMA, or sold any amount of MDMA on the grounds of a daycare center or educational facility such as a school, and conviction will result in:

  • 1-5.5 years in prison, even if you have no prior felony convictions, with possibility of probation
  • 1.5-8 years in prison if you have finished a nonviolent felony sentence in the past ten years
  • 3.5-9 years in prison if you have finished a violent felony sentence in the past ten years
  • Up to $15,000 in fines

You will be charged with a class D felony if it is alleged that you sold or possessed with intent to sell any amount of MDMA that does not fit into any of the above categories, and conviction will result in:

  • 1-2.5 years in prison, even if you have no prior felony convictions, with possibility of probation
  • 1.5-4 years in prison if you have finished a nonviolent felony sentence in the past ten years
  • 2.5-4.5 years in prison if you have finished a violent felony sentence in the past ten years
  • Up to $5,000 in fines

You will be charged with a class A misdemeanor if it is alleged that you possessed any amount of MDMA that does not fit into any of the above categories, and conviction will result in up to a year in jail.

If you are arrested by federal law enforcement, for example, DEA agents, you will very likely face federal charges.  Federal charges for possession of ecstasy or another form of MDMA are covered by 21 U.S.C. § 844, and federal charges for sale or possession with intent to sell of ecstasy or another form of MDMA are covered by 21 U.S.C. § 841.  Penalties range from a year in jail for possession of small amounts to millions of dollars in fines and decades or even life in prison for selling large amounts of ecstasy or other forms of MDMA.

Defenses to Ecstasy, Molly, and MDMA Charges in Nassau County, New York

Some defenses may be available to you if you are charged with sale or possession of ecstasy or another form of MDMA.  Charges against you can be reduced to a lesser degree or even dismissed entirely.

Law enforcement may have illegally searched you or your car for evidence, which would make it illegal to use that evidence against you in court.  If you are in a car with a friend and were unaware that drugs were in the car, you should not be charged. 

In 2011, information came to light that due to improper procedures, the Nassau County Police Department lab results were highly suspect, especially with MDMA and ecstasy cases from 2007 through 2009.  The situation was so bad that the police lab was shut down for a period of time, and Governor Cuomo ordered New York State Inspector General Ellen Biben to investigate the situation. 

Inspector General Biben found that since its creation in 2003, the Nassau County Police Department lab suffered from weak leadership, a dysfunctional quality management system, analysts with inconsistent training and qualifications, and outdated and incomplete testing equipment and procedures. It is possible that Nassau County Police Department MDMA testing is still faulty, and if this can be demonstrated in court, you should not be convicted.

Resources Related to Ecstasy, Molly, and MDMA in Nassau County, New York

Investigations dealing with ecstasy and other forms of MDMA are handled by the Narcotics & Vice Squad of the Nassau County Police Department Detective Division.

Nassau County Police Department
Detective Division
Narcotics & Vice Squad
1490 Franklin Avenue
Mineola, NY 11501
(516) 573-8800
Commanding Officer: Detective Lieutenant Frank DeCicco
Deputy Commanding Officer: Detective Sergeant John F. Wheeler

Finding An Ecstasy, Molly, and MDMA Charge Attorney on Long Island

If you have been accused of a crime involving ecstasy or another form of MDMA, call an experienced drug crimes defense attorney in Nassau County, Long Island, with the Law Office of Stephanie Selloni to discuss your case. Hiring an attorney as early as possible in the case is important to get the best results. Consult with a dedicated drug crimes defense attorney with experience fighting ecstasy, molly, and MDMA cases across Long Island.

We represent clients in Hempstead, Garden City, Floral Park, Westbury, Mineola and the surrounding areas of Long Island who are facing ecstasy and MDMA-related charges.  Call us today at the Law Office of Stephanie Selloni at (516) 972-1212 schedule a consultation that will allow us to give you a complete assessment of your legal options.