540MINUTES

By HANK KURZ Jr.

SUSSEX, Va. (AP) — Michael Vick arrived in a suit and shackles for a court appearance Tuesday where he was expected to plead guilty to state dogfighting charges, a necessary step to make him eligible for early release.

Federal law prohibits prisoners from being released to a halfway house if there are unresolved charges pending.

A plea agreement between Vick's legal team and Surry County Commonwealth Attorney Gerald Poindexter calls for the former Atlanta Falcons star to plead guilty to two felony counts — beating or killing or causing dogs to fight other dogs and engaging in or promoting dogfighting — in Surry County Circuit Court.

Each state felony count is punishable by up to five years in prison, but the plea agreement calls for the 28-year-old Vick to receive a suspended sentence and one year of probation.

Vick, who arrived in Virginia last Thursday, already is serving a 23-month sentence in Leavenworth, Kan. for a federal dogfighting conviction. He's scheduled for release on July 20, 2009, and will serve three years' probation.

Vick arrived at the courthouse about 6:40 a.m, more than two hours before his scheduled appearance.

Vick hoping to move closer to freedom with plea....