Molly, also known as Ecstasy, has become an increasingly popular drug in the United States in the 21st century, due in large part to the ease with which it can be manufactured and distributed. People often think of Molly as the safer version of “hard” drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. Do not let that perception fool you into believing that an arrest for distribution of Molly is any less serious than an arrest involving other drugs. On the contrary, a conviction for distribution of Molly exposes you to a potentially lengthy term in prison.
If you have been charged with the distribution of Molly, or you believe you are the target of a Molly distribution investigation, you need an experienced Molly distribution defense attorney on your side to ensure that your rights are protected. At Haas Law, we have the commitment, resources, and expertise necessary to protect you and defend you if you are facing a federal investigation or prosecution for distributing Molly.
What Is Molly?
3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) is a synthetic drug that alters mood and perception. It is chemically similar to both stimulants and hallucinogens, producing feelings of increased energy, pleasure, emotional warmth, and distorted sensory and time perception. Commonly referred to as Ecstasy or Molly, MDMA started as a popular nightclub drug but is now used by a much wider demographic, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Potential Federal Penalties for Distribution of Molly
Distribution of illegal drugs, including Molly, may be prosecuted by the federal government, the state government, or both. If you are facing federal prosecution for distribution of MDMA, you should know that in 2001 the United States Sentencing Commission amended the Federal Sentencing Guidelines to provide harsher sentences for offenses involving Molly. For example, the amended Guidelines increased the average penalty for Ecstasy trafficking from 34 to 73 months’ imprisonment. Under the new guidelines, the penalties for distribution of Molly can be more severe than those for powder cocaine.
Molly is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance under the federal Controlled Substance Act. A conviction for trafficking any amount of Molly as a first offense carries a potential term of imprisonment of up to 20 years. If death or serious injury occurs as a result of trafficking, you face a sentence of 20 to life in prison. You may also be ordered to pay a fine of up to $1 million. For a second conviction for trafficking Molly, you could be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison, and if death or serious injury occurs you will receive a mandatory life sentence. You may also be ordered to pay a fine of up to $2 million.
Potential State Penalties for Distribution of Molly in Florida
If you are charged with distribution of Molly by the State of Florida, you face similar penalties to those imposed by the federal government; however, the sentencing range depends on the amount the drug involved as follows:
- Amounts of 10 to less than 200 grams. Penalties may include a mandatory minimum of three years and up to a maximum 30-year prison sentence and/or a fine of up to $50,000.
- Amounts of 200 to less than 400 grams. Penalties may include a mandatory minimum of seven years up to a maximum 30-year prison sentence and/or a fine of up to $100,000.
- Amounts of 400 grams to less than 30 kilograms. Penalties may include a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison up to a maximum 30-year prison sentence and/or a fine of up to $500,000.
Common Defenses to Molly Distribution Charges
If you believe you are under investigation for or have been charged with, distribution of Molly the key to protecting your rights and mounting a successful defense is contacting an experienced Molly distribution defense lawyer right away. Ultimately, the unique circumstances of your case will determine the defense strategy employed; however, some common defenses to Molly distribution charges include:
- Sufficiency of the evidence. The government (federal or state) bears the burden of proving the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in a criminal prosecution. If that burden can be met at trial, the best defense may simply be to rely on the fact that the government failed in its burden.
- Challenging the legality of a search and seizure. In a prosecution for the distribution of drugs, it is common for the prosecution to rely on evidence obtained in a search and seizure. If the search was not conducted legally, the evidence seized during that search may be inadmissible at trial.
- Substantial assistance. In a federal prosecution, you may benefit from providing “substantial assistance.” This allows the prosecutor to ask the court to reduce or suspend a sentence of any person who is convicted of drug trafficking when the person “provides substantial assistance in the identification, arrest, or conviction of any other person engaged in trafficking in controlled substances.”
Get Help from an Experienced Molly Distribution Defense Lawyer
If you are facing Molly distribution charges or believe you are the target of a drug distribution investigation, contact an experienced Molly distribution defense lawyer at Haas Law, so we can protect your rights and begin developing your defense.
Call us at 407-755-7675, chat with us online, or submit our online form today. Because we understand that time is of the essence when federal law enforcement authorities are investigating you, our calls are answered 24 hours a day, allowing you to schedule an appointment as soon as possible to discuss your legal options.