How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

The Supreme Court of the United States consists of nine justices, a structure that has been in place since 1869. The number of justices is set by Congress, and this specific arrangement allows for a balanced approach to judicial decision-making. With nine justices, the court can function effectively to prevent deadlocks that could arise from an even number of justices. Ultimately, this ensures a majority decision in cases brought before the court. The nine justices include one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices, all of whom are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.