I personally think all that you can do is tell the truth. If you don't have money for a lawyer, find a defense lawyer, especially a new student they look for cases to build their profile, they even do it for free. Just explain your situation and see what happens. Good Luck!

MrMichael, I suggest that you just hang in there and be honest. Honestly is the best policy. I know you may feel different about that, but it is the truth. Good luck!

We would need a lot more information to help you on this one. The best thing you could do for yourself would be to get a lawyer.

I hate to tell you this but from my own experience "unemployment hearings" are chance to be victimized and lied about all over again. Trust me, the state is not on your side, it's on your former employers side and they will lie like a rug so they don't have to pay you anything. It's a corrupt and evil system. I can only hope that I am wrong for your sake. http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff187193.htm

Same thing is happening to me..I can't afford a lawyer either, but I am starting to think that is the only way..My job actually "added" write ups and warnings to their records that I never received and presented it to the Law Judge.Then Had a whole story about how I was a bad employee...Two and a half years with a Good Record!!! I get "fired" for Calling In One Time with Car trouble!! And then they are going to Show up at my Unemployment Hearing with False documents and a Fake story??!!!That just pisses me off..I had seen other employees with "No call No shows" every month not get Fired, people found asleep on the job not Fired, People who left the job site, not fired, Late everyday..Not fired...I sooooooooo Just wanted to have a lawyer with me to TRULY defend myself from this in Justice but since i am Poor already I guess i just have to suffer...I have looked for work, have no income...What do they expect Us to do now?? Die....??

Today I received judgement from Maine Unemployment that I was fired for misconduct. I will appeal. If the appeal goes like the fact-finding interview I am sure I will lose. I don't have words to express my feelings about this completely dishonest process - the firing and the determination that I was fired for misconduct. I was an honest, competent employee and know I've never done better in a job. I never had any warnings or write-ups and received nothing but supportive feedback on my work. But the corporate wheels are very effective at dehumanizing everybody involved, and the corporation takes care of its interests above everything else - fairness and truth be damned! This unemployment process has dragged on for a month and a half and my appeal will drag it out longer. I have little faith that the appeal will turn out any differently. I was unprepared to lose my job, recently spent a lot of money purchasing audio recording equipment, have almost exhausted my savings and house payment is due. I live in rural Maine and there are no jobs. I am going to lose my house and I don't care any more. America deserves to fail and I hope it does. I no-longer have any respect for the American system. May QualxServ and the American system go to hell. I am done with this system. America = the big lie.

well since it is March, i hope that things worked out for you.