15 October 2009

Basic Facts About the U.S. Supreme Court

The Cases

Cases filed with the Court each term – About 10,000
Cases selected by the Court for review each term – About 100
Written opinions each term – 80–90
Percentage of unanimous decisions – 25-33%
Approval of Justices required to win a case – 5 out of the 9 justices

The Justices

Appointment to the Court – By the President
Confirmation of appointment to the Court – By the U.S. Senate
Number of Justices since 1790 – 99 Associate Justices, 17 Chief Justices
Appointed but not confirmed – 36
Clerks per Justice – 3
Length of the appointment – Lifetime or until retirement
First African American Justice – Thurgood Marshall
First Woman Justice – Sandra Day O’Connor
First Hispanic Justice – Sonia Sotomayor