S: How are you feeling today?

D: I'm okay, all good.

S; Can you tell me a little about yourself (your background, why you chose criminology, and how you got
involved in Mock Trials)?

D: I am Precious Dela Pedra, 22 years old. I took up Criminology because it has been my dream since I
was young, and I really enjoy this course.

S: How did you prepare for your role in the mock trial?

D: I asked help from Bravo because I think it was in December when we had our mock trial. Our topic
was ballistics and questioned documents (QD). We asked what we should do, and they said there’s a
script ... [ellipsis]and a process for the mock trial. I was assigned as the [stammering]defense counsel. As
a defense, you have to defend your evidence and your expert witness.

S: What was your role again?

D: I was the attorney on the defense side.

S: What skills or knowledge did you gain during the mock trial process?

D: I learned [hesitation..] what the role of a defense counsel is. Also public speaking, because you need
to know how to present yourself [crosstalk] and make sure what you say has a solid basis. You can’t just
make things up because you have evidence. You’re protecting your side as the defense.

S: Was the preparation phase challenging for you?

D: Yes, of course. We were rushing at that time since there were only a few weeks left and we were just
assigned. But the outcome of our mock trial was still good [Laughter..], though we really lacked time.

S: How effective were the materials and guidance given to you during preparation? Did you feel they
were enough?

D: No, because if we only relied on what our instructor gave, I don't think we would have defended our
side well. We mostly just watched a video from the seniors, but their experience wasn’t enough for us.
So we had to do our own research [...ellipsis]and asked advice from other sections that already
conducted their mock trial.
S: During your presentation, was there a moment when you had to make a difficult decision?

D: Yes, especially when the opposing team questioned me about our expert witness’s credibility
[Hesitation...] like their experience and seminar attendance. That’s where we slipped, because there
were parts where the data didn’t match what [Pause..] was on our certificates. They pointed that out.
We didn’t notice it earlier because we were in a rush.

S: Was there any area you felt you could improve on?

D: Yes, especially in preparation and delivering my statements. We didn’t get to practice how to protect
our expert witness properly. When I tried to object with “Your Honor,” I froze and didn’t know how to
respond [Laughter...], so I just continued with the questioning. I was under pressure, but we still
managed to get through it. The lack of time and overlapping activities and exams really affected us.

S: How did you construct your arguments?

D: I made the arguments on the same day. I observed the earlier groups during their mock trials and
noted how they asked questions. One group even lent us their script, which gave me an idea on how to
form my questions.

S: How did your role as counsel impact your learning?

D: As a counsel, you have to prepare yourself well, present yourself effectively, and have a strong
foundation for your arguments.

S: Compared to reading, how did participating in a realistic simulation enhance your learning?

D: [Sighs..] For me, I wasn’t really good at presenting myself before. I was nervous during the trial and
lost points because of that. You really have to present fluently, because if you make even a small
mistake in your explanation or evidence, the cross-examiner will spot it.

S: How did the mock trial enhance your critical thinking and problem-solving skills?

D: It helped because you have to think fast and be attentive to your expert witness. You should know the
cross-examiner’s questions and already be prepared with answers.
S: How did it help your confidence and public speaking skills?

D: It helped a lot[Pause..], especially since the mock trial was graded[Laughter..

.]. I learned how to conceal my nervousness and still defend our side well despite being in front of many
people.

S: Do you think your leadership, teamwork, and communication skills improved?

D: Yes, especially communication with our expert witness. He was very [ Hesitation..]self-contained, but
we learned how to work as a group and unite as a team.

S: Can you share any memorable moments that had a personal impact on you?

D: When our teacher said “Objection overruled,” I laughed [Laughter...]. I also mistakenly addressed the
judge as “Sir” instead of “Your Honor” [ Laughter...].

S: Which aspect of the experience was most beneficial to you?

D: Definitely public speaking [... ellipsis] learning how to form answers even before the question is
asked. And being aware of our flaws and [Pause...] loopholes so we wouldn’t be easily questioned by the
cross-examiner.

S: Do you think the skills you gained will be useful in your future career?

D: If I enter the law enforcement field [Paused..], I believe I can apply what I learned from this
experience. I now have knowledge of how a trial works.

S: Did your participation in the mock trial change your perspective on the real world?

D: Yes. I realized the struggles of a defense counsel in defending their case. It opened my eyes to how
hard it is to think quickly, present well, and be mindful of everything you say.