How many judges are on the United States Supreme Court?

The United States Supreme Court is composed of nine judges, known as justices. This number has been established since 1869 and is defined by the Judiciary Act of that year. Each justice plays a crucial role in interpreting the Constitution, ruling on federal laws, and adjudicating disputes arising between states or involving the federal government. The Court's composition allows for a majority ruling of five justices to make decisions, which is fundamental in maintaining a balance in judicial interpretation and applying federal legal standards across the nation.

Other options reflecting different numbers of justices are historically inaccurate or do not represent the current structure of the Supreme Court. Maintaining a consistent number of justices helps in developing a stable body of case law and ensures continuity in the judicial process.