How many justices serve on the Supreme Court?

The Supreme Court of the United States is composed of nine justices. This number has been set since 1869 and includes one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices. Each justice plays a critical role in interpreting the Constitution, reviewing cases, and determining the constitutionality of laws.

Having nine justices allows for a balanced distribution of opinions and decisions. When cases are heard, if there is an even split in opinions, the decision made by the lower court stands, but with nine justices, there is less likelihood of a tie. The structure promotes a diversity of legal perspectives, which can contribute to the depth and fairness of the Court's rulings.

The other options, such as seven, eleven, or thirteen justices, do not accurately reflect the current configuration of the Supreme Court, which has been consistently nine for over a century and a half.