A Level Law Practice Exam

How many justices are there in the Supreme Court?

1. 9

2. 10

3. 12

4. 15

The correct answer is: 12

The Supreme Court of the United States is comprised of nine justices. This structure has been in place since 1869 and is outlined by Congress, allowing for a range of justices but consistently settled on nine to ensure a definitive majority in decision-making. While there were varying numbers of justices throughout the Court's history, the establishment of nine justices effectively balances the need for diverse perspectives against the necessity for conclusive rulings. It promotes stability and continuity in the interpretation of law at the highest level in the U.S. judiciary. In contrast, the other choices reflect either historical configurations or speculative variations that have not been adopted or sustained. Therefore, the accurate number of justices currently serving on the Supreme Court remains nine.