How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

• A. Seven justices
• B. Nine justices
• C. Eleven justices
• D. Thirteen justices

Answer: (B)

The Supreme Court of the United States is composed of nine justices. This has been the standard since 1869, when Congress set the number at nine, which includes one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices. This configuration allows for a balanced court that can hear a diverse set of cases and is designed to reflect a wide range of legal perspectives and interpretations.

The significance of having an odd number of justices is important as it helps to avoid deadlocks in decision-making, ensuring that a majority can be easily reached in rulings on important legal issues. Throughout its history, the composition of the Court has evolved, but the current structure of nine justices has remained unchanged for over 150 years. Thus, the correct answer reflects this foundational aspect of the U.S. judicial system.