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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) — A judge is demanding that Michael Vick appear in bankruptcy court in Virginia on April 2.

The suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback is serving a 23-month sentence at the federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kan. A government official told The Associated Press that Vick has been approved for home confinement no sooner than May 21. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

One of Vick's bankruptcy lawyers, Michael Blumenthal, told Judge Frank Santoro on Friday that he still expects Vick to be transferred soon to a halfway house.

Santoro said Vick must appear at the April hearing, even if the lawyers have to get a court order to bring him to Newport News. If Vick doesn't appear, Santoro said he will deny confirmation of Vick's bankruptcy plan.