Michael Vick Co-Defendant Shot Outside of Club, Vick Not Involved

After completing his sentence for a state dogfighting conviction, Michael Vick has managed to avoid getting into trouble and being caught at the wrong time and the wrong place.

In fact, Michael Vick's lawyer says he was not involved or present when a shooting took place outside a nightclub where he had celebrated his birthday recently, the Associated Press reports.

Michael Vick, a quarterback for Philadelphia Eagles, had apparently left the party and was on his way to host a football camp when the shooting took place.

However, Quanis Phillips, 21, a codefendant in Vick's dogfighting case was shot outside the nightclub. He was taken to the hospital and his injuries were not life-threatening, officials said.

The dogfighting case landed Vick an 18-month federal prison sentence. Phillips also was sentenced to 21 months in prison for his role in the dogfighting operation.

Vick is still on three years' probation and not allowed to associate with any of his codefendants or any known felon.

In general, probation is a sentence whereby a convict is released from confinement but is still under court supervision during a testing or a trial period.

Also, offenders who are put on probation are typically required to adhere to a number of "conditions of probation," including:

• Obey all laws (even petty laws like jaywalking have been known to land a probationer back in jail).
• Abide by any court orders, such as an order to pay a fine or restitution.
• Report regularly to the probation officer.
• Report any change of employment or address to the probation officer.
• Abstain from the excessive use of alcohol or the use of any drugs.
• Submit to regular alcohol or drug testing.
• Refrain from travel outside of the jurisdiction without prior permission of the probation officer.
• Avoid certain people and places.

Related Resources:

• Probation (FindLaw's LawBrain)
• Sentencing Alternatives: Prison, Probation, Fines, and Community Service  (FindLaw)
• Michael Vick Finishes Serving Federal Dogfighting Sentence (FindLaw's Courtside)