How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

The Supreme Court of the United States is comprised of nine justices. This number has been set since 1869 and is defined by law, meaning it would require legislation to change. The justices include one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices who are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

The structure of having nine justices allows for a balance of opinions while minimizing the risk of tie votes. A majority decision is necessary for the Court to rule on cases, and having an odd number of justices helps facilitate this.

This arrangement has been crucial in maintaining a functioning judiciary system, where important legal and constitutional questions can be resolved definitively. The correct answer reflects this established fact regarding the composition of the Supreme Court.