Charlottesville, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Tim Heaphy, former federal prosecutor and author of the 2017 Report on the events in Charlottesville, joined the morning discussion to provide legal insights into the recent police activity in the community and an ongoing lawsuit involving NCAA rules. 

Speaking about the execution of search warrants in high-crime areas, Heaphy explained the legal procedure, emphasizing that search warrants must be approved by a judge based on probable cause. “A law enforcement officer puts together an affidavit saying, you know, here is the information that gives me the suspicion that if we search this location, we will find evidence of crime,” Heaphy said. 

On the challenges faced by local law enforcement, Heaphy acknowledged the delicate balance they must strike. “The goal is to aggressively prosecute crimes of violence, and these search warrants, I believe, were targeted on alleged possession of weapons and violent crime. That means that they often are working in areas that are sometimes disproportionately, you know, communities of color, that’s what happened here.” he noted. He emphasized, however, that these actions are necessary in communities most affected by violence and crime. 

Shifting gears, Heaphy also weighed in on a lawsuit filed by a quarterback at Vanderbilt University, Diego Pavia, who is challenging NCAA rules regarding eligibility after transferring from a junior college. Heaphy explained the legal implications of such cases in the context of NIL rights. “Since student athletes now are able to profit from their name, image, and likeness, that creates the baseline entitlement,” he said, stressing the need for a clear national standard on NIL regulations.  

Listen to the full conversation here: