How many justices are currently on the Supreme Court?

The Supreme Court of the United States is composed of nine justices. This structure has been in place since 1869. The number nine was established as a way to create a balanced court that could effectively handle cases, allowing for a majority to decide on the outcomes while minimizing the likelihood of tied votes.

Having nine justices facilitates a more diverse range of opinions and interpretations, contributing to the complexity and richness of American jurisprudence. Each justice plays a crucial role in shaping the law and interpreting the Constitution, and their varying perspectives often lead to significant legal precedents.

The other choices reflect numbers that do not correspond to the current composition of the Supreme Court. Six or seven justices would be insufficient to ensure a majority in decision-making, while eleven or thirteen would exceed the traditional structure that has been recognized for over a century and a half. Therefore, nine is the correct and established number of justices currently serving on the Supreme Court.