The trial of the suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback in a state court is separate from federal charges of dogfighting to which Vick pleaded guilty in August.

Vick is due to be sentenced on those charges on December 10 and faces up to five years in jail, though prosecutors have requested a sentence of between 12 and 18 months.

In an unusual move, the 27-year-old turned himself in to U.S. marshals last week to begin serving the federal sentence early.

The two state charges carry sentences of five years each, which would be added to any sentence on the federal charges, according to media reports.

Vick's indictment in July shocked U.S. sports fans because it was a spectacular fall from grace and because dogfighting, in which people bet on pit bulls and other aggressive dogs, is widely reviled for its cruelty.

Vick initially pleaded innocent but then admitted his guilt after reaching an agreement with prosecutors.

The brief hearing at Surry County Circuit Court, Virginia, also set court dates in March and April for three other co-defendants, according to a member of the prosecutor's team.