RICHMOND, Va. -- Lawyers for Michael Vick plan to be in court in Virginia today on dogfighting charges against the suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback, but Vick is not expected to attend.

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Vick already is scheduled to be sentenced December 10 on a federal dogfighting charge. Prosecutor Gerald Poindexter said Vick is not expected in the courtroom.

The hearing is to determine whether Vick and three co-defendants have secured legal counsel or need the court to provide lawyers.

Poindexter told The Associated Press in a telephone interview "It's just going to be a routine day."

He says trial dates for Vick and the others will be set on November 27.

The hearing will be held in Sussex County because the Surry County courthouse is being renovated.

Vick was indicted last week in the rural county where he built a massive home on 15 acres that had been home to the enterprise since 2001.

He's charged with beating or killing or causing dogs to fight other dogs and engaging in or promoting dogfighting.

"This sends a message to dog fighters that when you're committing this crime, going over state lines you can be punished both at the federal level and also the state level and hopefully that will be a deterent to some of these people," said John Goodwin of the U.S. Humane Society.

Each felony is punishable by up to five years in prison.