Documentation supporting your case is the key to a successful appeal. Case documentation could include:

• Written warnings
• Letters and memos
• Timecards
• Doctor’s statements/medical records
• Photos
• Maps/diagrams
• Charts
• Performance records.

These forms of evidence help explain what happened. The documents must relate directly to the issues shown on the hearing notice. Be ready to tell who prepared the evidence and how it helps your case.

You must supply these documents to the hearing officer and to the other side in your case, if any. If your case has been scheduled for an in-person hearing, you can bring the documents with you. If your case has been scheduled as a telephone hearing, you must immediately mail or fax a copy of all of the papers you want to use, other than those included in the hearing notice packet, to the hearing officer and to the other side. If there is an opposing side in your case, that person’s mailing address will be on the first page of the hearing notice. The hearing officer's address and fax number will also be on the first page of the hearing notice.

It is very important that the hearing officer and both sides have copies of your documents before the hearing. The documents may not be used if they are not provided in enough time before the hearing begins.