Michael Vick Sentenced to 23 Months in a Federal Prison

The Michael Vick case has been the talk of the town around my neck of the woods for some time now. While Michael Vick may, at one time have been a "home town" hero to many in Virginia; his reputation has been seriously tarnished.

My family and I were born and raised in Virginia and we currently live in the Richmond Metro area where Vick was sentenced today. Vick has been a household name among Virginians since he attended Warwick High School in Newport News, Virginia. After graduating from Warwick High School, Vick attended Virginia Tech, where he took an early draft into the NFL in his sophomore year. Unfortunately Michael Vick will be seen in history as an amazingly bright and intelligent football star that seriously screwed up his life by getting involved with dog fighting and animal cruelty. I am under the impression, since Vick has not been in trouble with the law before; he not only trusted the wrong people, but he may have felt he was above the law because of his stature. Now, as I do not know Michael Vick personally, this is an assumption; so I can always be wrong.

The United States Federal District Court located in downtown Richmond is where the media frenzy took place today

More than likely Vick will not have to serve out his full 23 months of incarceration; but I did learn that in the federal system, someone who is incarcerated must serve 85 - 90 percent of their sentence because there is no probation available. Vick's lawyer stated in a press conference after the sentencing, that they are hoping, with good behavior, Michael Vick will be released within 18 months, but that Vick is aware he may have to serve the full 23 months. Eighteen months? Do you think that eighteen months incarceration is enough? Or do you think he should serve out his whole 23 month sentence? I guess a review of other cases involving animal cruelty; in particular dog fighting would need to happen for me to get a better idea of what would be deemed a fair sentence.