How many justices serve on the Supreme Court?

The Supreme Court of the United States is composed of nine justices. This has been the standard since 1869, and it includes one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices. The number was established by Congress, which has the authority to set the size of the Supreme Court, and it has remained unchanged for over a century. Each justice is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, serving lifetime appointments unless they choose to retire or are removed through impeachment.

This structure is intended to promote a balance of viewpoints and to ensure that the Court can manage its judicial responsibilities effectively. The consensus among justices on cases can shape the law significantly, and having nine allows for a variety of perspectives while also minimizing the chance of tie votes, which would occur if there were an even number of justices.