How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

The Supreme Court consists of nine justices. This number has been established since 1869 and has remained unchanged since then. The nine justices include one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices. This structure allows for a balance of perspectives on the Court, which is crucial for making decisions on significant legal and constitutional issues.

The number of justices can significantly influence the dynamics and decisions of the Court, as it seeks to achieve a majority opinion on cases brought before it. The decision for nine justices was intended to provide sufficient diversity of thought while maintaining a manageable size for deliberation and decision-making.