Court Reporter

From true crime to petty crime, this is the memoir of one of Australia's most experienced court reporters.

Longlisted in the True Crime category for the 2019 Davitt and Ned Kelly Awards.

As a seasoned court reporter, the ABC's Jamelle Wells has filed thousands of stories on murderers, sex offenders, thieves, bad drivers, family feuds, and business deals gone wrong. In more than 10 years, Jamelle has witnessed many of Australia's most notorious and high-profile court cases. In the line of duty, she has sat next to criminals and their families, been chased, spat on, stalked, and carted off by ambulance for emergency surgery after an accident outside ICAC.

Every day in courts across Australia, the evidence, facts, and theories are played out in a kind of theatre, with their own characters, costumes, and traditions. But ever-present is the human tragedy of ordinary people's lives disrupted, destroyed, and forever altered. The judges, the lawyers and barristers, the witnesses, and the victims—all striving to play their part in the quest for fairness, justice, and always, the truth of what really happened.

From the calculated and cruel to the unfair and unlucky, from pure evil to plain stupid—Jamelle Wells has seen it all.

The Court Reporter is a tough and fearless journalist's memoir that looks at the cases that have shocked, moved, and never left us.

Praise for Jamelle Wells:

'Jamelle Wells has put justice in the dock. The Court Reporter raises important questions about the administration of the criminal justice system, not only in NSW but nationwide.' —Michael Sexton, The Australian

'Frank reporting.' —Steven Carroll, The Sydney Morning Herald

'Vivid and gripping. I had to read it in one go.' —Richard Glover, ABC Drive

'The Court Reporter is a great read and will be quickly devoured by anyone with an interest in journalism and true crime.' —Dr Rachel Franks, Academia Review

'A brilliant book with amazing stories.' —Sarah Harris, Studio Ten