When Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick appears in court next Thursday on dogfighting charges, he will go before a judge not impressed by Vick's celebrity and in a court known for its speedy handling of cases.

Legal experts describe U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson as a tough but fair jurist who, in five years on the federal bench, has become known for handing down stiff sentences, for being prepared and for allowing both sides to show their cards.

Michael Vick was indicted Tuesday on charges of illegal dogfighting.
(Marc Serota/Getty Images)

"Trial lawyers love to appear in his court because he lets the lawyers try their case," said defence lawyer and former prosecutor William J. Dinkin of Richmond, Va. "Everyone is going to get their fair shake [and] he is a very even-handed trial judge."

Vick's appearance July 26 along with three other defendants will be to enter pleas to charges of competitive dogfighting, procuring and training pit bulls for fighting, and conducting the enterprise across state lines.

If convicted of both felony charges, the four face up to six years in prison, fines of up to $350,000 US and restitution.

Hudson is "generally known as a hard sentencer," Dinkin said, and is not likely to treat Vick any differently because of his superstar status and $130-million US contract.

"He is straight forward, a straight shooter," said Carl Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond.

"You don't get any special perks because of who you are. And you don't get punished because you aren't somebody who is a public figure."

The Falcons will be conducting their first practice of training camp under a new coach while Vick is in court, and Hudson is unlikely to be influenced at all by that.

"I would not expect Judge Hudson to make any special allowances because Mr. Vick plays in the NFL," said defence lawyer Craig W. Sampson of Richmond, who has had several cases before Hudson.

"Virginia courts, both state and federal, are generally very businesslike in the way they run their dockets."

'Rocket docket'

That's especially true of the U.S. District Court in Richmond, which has become known as the "rocket docket" for getting its cases handled expediently.

"They really do move the cases along," Tobias said. "They're no-nonsense."

Sampson said lawyers know going in that their cases won't languish.

"When a case is filed, the judges demand that the lawyers get moving," he said. "Discovery is to be done, hearings scheduled, and the cases heard — no excuses."

The complexity of Vick's case, however, could slow it down, Tobias said.

"You have got four people and a lot of actions in a lot of states and a whole bunch of witnesses," he said, adding that most federal cases are plea bargained before getting to court.

"It could be fairly complicated. So on that basis, it may take more time."

Considering the stakes, though, and Vick's ability to afford the best legal team money can buy, it seems unlikely he'll pass on a trial and his possible exoneration.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank echoed Thursday the stances of the NFL and the player's union in saying his centrepiece quarterback is due his day in court.