Michael Vick will find out this morning what only one man knows -- how much prison time he will receive for his role in a dogfighting operation.

Vick appeared at the federal courthourse in Richmond, Va. in front of U.S. District Court Judge Henry E. Hudson to be sentenced on felony charges related to dogfighting. The hearing is not expected to last the two to four hours originally anticipated by the court due to the number of witnesses who will actually testify.

Vick, the suspended Falcons quarterback, faces a maximum sentence of five years, but sentencing guidelines and prosecutor recommendations call for a term of 12-18 months. He reported on prison on Nov. 19 to begin serving his sentence early.

According to a U.S. Marshall, Vick arrived before 7 a.m., did not enter through the front door of the courthouse and was not seen by the public. Vick will likely leave the same way, according to the Marshall. Vick entered the courtroom just before 10 a.m. and was dressed in a black and white prison jumpsuit.

As of 8 a.m. Monday, more than 25 television trucks were parked by the courthouse. A line began forming before 6 a.m. for one of 100 seats in the courtroom. There are also 200 seats in an adjoining courtroom with a live video feed.

Hudson will take several factors into account in sentencing Vick, including his leadership role in the Bad Newz Kennels dogfighting operation, his remorse and cooperation in other investigations.

Vick, who reported to prison last month, also failed a test for marijuana in September that prompted Hudson to restrict the conditions of his release after a guilty plea and included electronic monitoring and a curfew.

Two of Vick's co-defendants in the case were sentenced last week. Purnell Peace received 18 months and Quanis Phillips received 21 months. A fourth co-defendant, Tony Taylor, will be sentenced Friday.

The scene outside the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Virginia was already similar to those for other Vick court appearances.

There were supporters and protesters present.

About two dozen animal rights activists were near the courthouse prior to the hearing, some with signs that read "Report Dogfighters!" and "Dogs Deserve Justice."

"I hope that people who are involved in this bloodsport realize this is a deadend activity with meaningful consequences," John Goodwin, the manager of animal fighting issues for the Humane Society of the United States, said Monday morning.

There were also several Vick supporters wearing his No. 7 Falcons jersey.

The Atlanta-based New Order Human Rights Organization held a rally Sunday and planned to be in Richmond, according to founder Gerald Rose.

"Michael Vick made a bad mistake," Rose told the Associated Press. "But at the same time, we believe in second chances. I think God has got Michael Vick's attention. He's going to come back a better man."