How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

The Supreme Court of the United States is composed of nine justices. This structure has been in place since 1869 when Congress set the number of justices to nine. The justices include one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices, who are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

This configuration allows for a range of opinions and ensures that decisions are made by a diverse group of judicial perspectives, promoting a balance of views on the Court. The number of justices can be changed by Congress, but it has remained at nine for over 150 years, making it a significant aspect of the Court's identity and function in the U.S. judiciary. In practice, having nine justices helps to avoid tie votes when the Court is deciding important legal issues and can contribute to a more stable judicial system.