He served as an assistant district attorney for Jefferson County, Texas, from 1965 to 1966.
Heartfield was nominated to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas by President Bill Clinton on January 11, 1995, confirmed by the United States Senate on March 17, 1995, and received his commission on March 17, 1995.
was a cheerleader who was ordered by her high school to cheer for a football and basketball player named Rakheem Bolton, who she had accused of raping her[4] and who had pleaded guilty to assaulting her.
Judge Heartfield granted the school district's motion to dismiss.
was ordered to pay the school $45,000 in legal fees for filing a "frivolous" lawsuit.