List of Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States by court composition
Encyclopedia
In order to become a Justice
on the Supreme Court of the United States
, an individual must be nominated by the President of the United States
and approved by the U.S. Senate
, with at least half of that body approving in the affirmative. Generally, a justice's qualifications are judged by the President and, most visibly, by a Senate hearing. There is no definitive qualification of age or experience that is a standard to be met; instead, there is a much more subjective process taken by the Senate, occasionally resulting in a sometimes controversial defeat of judicial nominees
.
Congress is responsible for setting the number of justices. With the Judiciary Act of 1789
, the Supreme Court was established with six members. The Seventh Circuit Act increased their number by one in 1807, and the Eighth and Ninth Circuit Act set the court's size at nine in 1837. The 1866 Tenth Circuit Act add one more justice. However, the Judicial Circuits Act
of 1866 eliminated the seat then vacant after the death of John Catron
, and provided that two more would be eliminated as they became vacant. One more was eliminated at the death of James Moore Wayne
in 1867, leaving the court with eight justices. The Judiciary Act of 1869
prevented the eighth seat from being eliminated and created one additional seat by setting the total number of seats at nine, where it has stood ever since.
Note that associate justices are listed, from left to right, in order of seniority.
In order to become a Justice
on the Supreme Court of the United States
, an individual must be nominated by the President of the United States
and approved by the U.S. Senate
, with at least half of that body approving in the affirmative. Generally, a justice's qualifications are judged by the President and, most visibly, by a Senate hearing. There is no definitive qualification of age or experience that is a standard to be met; instead, there is a much more subjective process taken by the Senate, occasionally resulting in a sometimes controversial defeat of judicial nominees
.
Congress is responsible for setting the number of justices. With the Judiciary Act of 1789
, the Supreme Court was established with six members. The Seventh Circuit Act increased their number by one in 1807, and the Eighth and Ninth Circuit Act set the court's size at nine in 1837. The 1866 Tenth Circuit Act add one more justice. However, the Judicial Circuits Act
of 1866 eliminated the seat then vacant after the death of John Catron
, and provided that two more would be eliminated as they became vacant. One more was eliminated at the death of James Moore Wayne
in 1867, leaving the court with eight justices. The Judiciary Act of 1869
prevented the eighth seat from being eliminated and created one additional seat by setting the total number of seats at nine, where it has stood ever since.
Note that associate justices are listed, from left to right, in order of seniority.
In order to become a Justice
on the Supreme Court of the United States
, an individual must be nominated by the President of the United States
and approved by the U.S. Senate
, with at least half of that body approving in the affirmative. Generally, a justice's qualifications are judged by the President and, most visibly, by a Senate hearing. There is no definitive qualification of age or experience that is a standard to be met; instead, there is a much more subjective process taken by the Senate, occasionally resulting in a sometimes controversial defeat of judicial nominees
.
Congress is responsible for setting the number of justices. With the Judiciary Act of 1789
, the Supreme Court was established with six members. The Seventh Circuit Act increased their number by one in 1807, and the Eighth and Ninth Circuit Act set the court's size at nine in 1837. The 1866 Tenth Circuit Act add one more justice. However, the Judicial Circuits Act
of 1866 eliminated the seat then vacant after the death of John Catron
, and provided that two more would be eliminated as they became vacant. One more was eliminated at the death of James Moore Wayne
in 1867, leaving the court with eight justices. The Judiciary Act of 1869
prevented the eighth seat from being eliminated and created one additional seat by setting the total number of seats at nine, where it has stood ever since.
Note that associate justices are listed, from left to right, in order of seniority.
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
on the Supreme Court of the United States
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
, an individual must be nominated by the President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
and approved by the U.S. Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
, with at least half of that body approving in the affirmative. Generally, a justice's qualifications are judged by the President and, most visibly, by a Senate hearing. There is no definitive qualification of age or experience that is a standard to be met; instead, there is a much more subjective process taken by the Senate, occasionally resulting in a sometimes controversial defeat of judicial nominees
Unsuccessful nominations to the Supreme Court of the United States
Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States are nominated by the President and are then confirmed by the Senate. Presidential administrations are listed with any unsuccessful Supreme Court nominees—that is, individuals who were nominated and who either declined their own nomination, failed...
.
Congress is responsible for setting the number of justices. With the Judiciary Act of 1789
Judiciary Act of 1789
The United States Judiciary Act of 1789 was a landmark statute adopted on September 24, 1789 in the first session of the First United States Congress establishing the U.S. federal judiciary...
, the Supreme Court was established with six members. The Seventh Circuit Act increased their number by one in 1807, and the Eighth and Ninth Circuit Act set the court's size at nine in 1837. The 1866 Tenth Circuit Act add one more justice. However, the Judicial Circuits Act
Judicial Circuits Act
The Judicial Circuits Act of 1866 reorganized the United States circuit courts and provided for the gradual elimination of several seats on the Supreme Court of the United States...
of 1866 eliminated the seat then vacant after the death of John Catron
John Catron
John Catron was an American jurist who served as a US Supreme Court justice from 1837 to 1865.-Early life:Little is known of Catron's early life, but he served in the War of 1812 under Andrew Jackson...
, and provided that two more would be eliminated as they became vacant. One more was eliminated at the death of James Moore Wayne
James Moore Wayne
James Moore Wayne was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and was a United States Representative from Georgia.-Biography:...
in 1867, leaving the court with eight justices. The Judiciary Act of 1869
Judiciary Act of 1869
The Judiciary Act of 1869 , also called the Circuit Judges Act of 1869, was a United States statute that made two important reforms of the federal judiciary....
prevented the eighth seat from being eliminated and created one additional seat by setting the total number of seats at nine, where it has stood ever since.
Note that associate justices are listed, from left to right, in order of seniority.
In order to become a Justice
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
on the Supreme Court of the United States
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
, an individual must be nominated by the President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
and approved by the U.S. Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
, with at least half of that body approving in the affirmative. Generally, a justice's qualifications are judged by the President and, most visibly, by a Senate hearing. There is no definitive qualification of age or experience that is a standard to be met; instead, there is a much more subjective process taken by the Senate, occasionally resulting in a sometimes controversial defeat of judicial nominees
Unsuccessful nominations to the Supreme Court of the United States
Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States are nominated by the President and are then confirmed by the Senate. Presidential administrations are listed with any unsuccessful Supreme Court nominees—that is, individuals who were nominated and who either declined their own nomination, failed...
.
Congress is responsible for setting the number of justices. With the Judiciary Act of 1789
Judiciary Act of 1789
The United States Judiciary Act of 1789 was a landmark statute adopted on September 24, 1789 in the first session of the First United States Congress establishing the U.S. federal judiciary...
, the Supreme Court was established with six members. The Seventh Circuit Act increased their number by one in 1807, and the Eighth and Ninth Circuit Act set the court's size at nine in 1837. The 1866 Tenth Circuit Act add one more justice. However, the Judicial Circuits Act
Judicial Circuits Act
The Judicial Circuits Act of 1866 reorganized the United States circuit courts and provided for the gradual elimination of several seats on the Supreme Court of the United States...
of 1866 eliminated the seat then vacant after the death of John Catron
John Catron
John Catron was an American jurist who served as a US Supreme Court justice from 1837 to 1865.-Early life:Little is known of Catron's early life, but he served in the War of 1812 under Andrew Jackson...
, and provided that two more would be eliminated as they became vacant. One more was eliminated at the death of James Moore Wayne
James Moore Wayne
James Moore Wayne was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and was a United States Representative from Georgia.-Biography:...
in 1867, leaving the court with eight justices. The Judiciary Act of 1869
Judiciary Act of 1869
The Judiciary Act of 1869 , also called the Circuit Judges Act of 1869, was a United States statute that made two important reforms of the federal judiciary....
prevented the eighth seat from being eliminated and created one additional seat by setting the total number of seats at nine, where it has stood ever since.
Note that associate justices are listed, from left to right, in order of seniority.
In order to become a Justice
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
on the Supreme Court of the United States
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
, an individual must be nominated by the President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
and approved by the U.S. Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
, with at least half of that body approving in the affirmative. Generally, a justice's qualifications are judged by the President and, most visibly, by a Senate hearing. There is no definitive qualification of age or experience that is a standard to be met; instead, there is a much more subjective process taken by the Senate, occasionally resulting in a sometimes controversial defeat of judicial nominees
Unsuccessful nominations to the Supreme Court of the United States
Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States are nominated by the President and are then confirmed by the Senate. Presidential administrations are listed with any unsuccessful Supreme Court nominees—that is, individuals who were nominated and who either declined their own nomination, failed...
.
Congress is responsible for setting the number of justices. With the Judiciary Act of 1789
Judiciary Act of 1789
The United States Judiciary Act of 1789 was a landmark statute adopted on September 24, 1789 in the first session of the First United States Congress establishing the U.S. federal judiciary...
, the Supreme Court was established with six members. The Seventh Circuit Act increased their number by one in 1807, and the Eighth and Ninth Circuit Act set the court's size at nine in 1837. The 1866 Tenth Circuit Act add one more justice. However, the Judicial Circuits Act
Judicial Circuits Act
The Judicial Circuits Act of 1866 reorganized the United States circuit courts and provided for the gradual elimination of several seats on the Supreme Court of the United States...
of 1866 eliminated the seat then vacant after the death of John Catron
John Catron
John Catron was an American jurist who served as a US Supreme Court justice from 1837 to 1865.-Early life:Little is known of Catron's early life, but he served in the War of 1812 under Andrew Jackson...
, and provided that two more would be eliminated as they became vacant. One more was eliminated at the death of James Moore Wayne
James Moore Wayne
James Moore Wayne was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and was a United States Representative from Georgia.-Biography:...
in 1867, leaving the court with eight justices. The Judiciary Act of 1869
Judiciary Act of 1869
The Judiciary Act of 1869 , also called the Circuit Judges Act of 1869, was a United States statute that made two important reforms of the federal judiciary....
prevented the eighth seat from being eliminated and created one additional seat by setting the total number of seats at nine, where it has stood ever since.
Note that associate justices are listed, from left to right, in order of seniority.
See also
External links
