How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

The Supreme Court of the United States is composed of nine justices. This number has been established since 1869, making it the current standard. The justices serve lifetime appointments, meaning they remain on the court until they choose to retire, pass away, or are impeached. The purpose of this design is to promote judicial independence, allowing justices to make decisions based on the law and Constitution rather than political pressures.

This structure fosters an effective balance within the court, as a larger number of justices can help to create a diversity of opinions and prevent any single individual from holding too much power. The choice of nine justices has created a system that has endured for over a century, affecting major legal and constitutional rulings throughout U.S. history.