Possession of Ecstasy, Class B Felony

[robertGman]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: massachusetts

A few weeks ago, two friends and I were in my car before a concert. I had a baggy of E pills in my lap. Three police officers on bikes suddenly surrounded the car and one knocked on my window and told me to get out of the car. The officer saw the bag of pills which I dropped on the ground he told me to get the pills and then took them out of my hand. He began to question me and my friends and he was getting no where until he gave us an ultimatum (which was a lie) of you can either tell us what it is and we will throw it out and let you guys go to the concert or we can arrest you. This clearly shook up my friend who said I'm pretty sure its ecstacy, I don't know. At that time we were arrested and the officer said we were being arrested for possession of ecstacy. We were then processed and in a holding cell for a few hours before being bailed out. We have court in a couple of weeks and I was just wondering what might happen to us.
I understand that a Class B possession such as this is a felony in Massachusetts and can be punishable by jail time. This was all of our first offenses with the law, we have no previous records and are all going to college this coming fall. We spoke to a lawyer who quickly dismissed any fears claiming that we will be alright and we will be able to attend college with no problems and that he deals with hundreds of these cases. However I am still immensely worried seeing as this lawyer could just be trying to scam us out of money by saying he can make all of our problems, which seem pretty severe, disappear.
By the way the court date we have coming up is an arraignment hearing.
So really I am asking if this could all be settled, community service or a fine or whatever, after one court date, being the arraignment (with or without a lawyer).
Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Disagreeable]

you should be able to attend college this fall. You might be in jail come spring though. You might want to wait and reconsider spending all that money on college, as your employability will be severely compromised, by a felony conviction.

[tc498]

You can attend college but a drug conviction can affect finical aid,you need to stress to the lawyer how it can affect your financial aid. It helps a lot that it's your 1st time in trouble and if it's a only a small amount of pills for personnel use jail time can most likely be avoid. Ask the lawyer if they're any 1st time drug program to avoid a conviction or at least something to reduce down it to a misdemeanor if possible. Lawyer are expensive but he should be able to work something out,maybe call one or two more to pick they're brain. It depends how much the district attorney and/or judge will budge. Also ask about youthful offender status,in ny for example someone who 18 can be charged as a youthful offender. If they stay out of trouble the conviction is dismissed and the files are sealed.

Lawyer do lie,the issue at hand isn't that complex,chance are he probably dealt with many if these type of cases. Ask around for a good local lawyer who can hopefully arrange a decent deal for you. The fact it's a drug charge and a felony plus E makes it serious. Being a small amount or at least not an extreme amount,may allow the lawyer to work out a deal with the da.

[robertGman]

What do you think about having a lawyer or not for the arraignment?? Money is an issue for me and lawyers are expensive. Do you think its in my absolute best interest to have one during the arraignment? Or would I be just as well off going in it alone my first court date (seeing as how in the arraignment they ask you if you will represent yourself in subsequent court dates or not) and lawyer-ing up later?

[Disagreeable]

You are foolish to not hire a lawyer for something that can affect your entire life.

[tc498]

If you can't afford a lawyer then your entailed to a public defender for free or a reduce rate. If your going to hire a lawyer it's best to have him through out the whole process. He can gonna have to catch up,the court might appoint you a temporary legal aide or delay until you have a lawyer,idk if your gonna safe any $.