    [United States Government Manual]
    [June 01, 2002]
    [Pages 67-68]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

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    THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES

    United States Supreme Court Building
    One First Street NE., Washington, DC 20543
    Phone, 202-479-3000. Internet, www.supremecourtus.gov.

    Members:

    Chief Justice of the United States        William H. Rehnquist
    Associate Justices                        John Paul Stevens, Sandra Day
                                              O'Connor, Antonin Scalia,
                                              Anthony M. Kennedy, David
                                              H. Souter, Clarence Thomas,
                                              Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen
                                              G. Breyer

    Officers:

        Administrative Assistant to the       Sally M. Rider
                Chief Justice
        Clerk                                 William K. Suter
        Court Counsel                         Jane E. Petkofsky
        Curator                               Gail Galloway
        Director of Budget and Personnel      Cyril A. Donnelly
        Director of Data Systems              Donna Clement
        Librarian                             Shelley L. Dowling
        Marshal                               Pamela Talkin
        Public Information Officer            Kathleen L. Arberg
        Reporter of Decisions                 Frank D. Wagner

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    Article III, section 1, of the Constitution of the United States
    provides that ``[t]he judicial Power of the United States, shall be
    vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress
    may from time to time ordain and establish.''

    The Supreme Court of the United States was created in accordance with
    this provision and by authority of the Judiciary Act of September 24,
    1789 (1 Stat. 73). It was organized on February 2, 1790. Article III,
    section 2 of the Constitution defines the jurisdiction of the Supreme
    Court.
        The Supreme Court is comprised of the Chief Justice of the United
    States and such number of Associate Justices as may be fixed by
    Congress, which is currently fixed at eight (28 U.S.C. 1). The President
    nominates the Justices with the advice and consent of the Senate.
    Article III, section 1, of the Constitution further provides that
    ``[t]he Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold
    their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive
    for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during
    their Continuance in Office.''
        Court officers assist the Court in the performance of its functions.
    They

    [[Page 68]]

    include the Administrative Assistant to the Chief Justice, the Clerk,
    the Reporter of Decisions, the Librarian, the Marshal, the Director of
    Budget and Personnel, the Court Counsel, the Curator, the Director of
    Data Systems, and the Public Information Officer.

    Appellate Jurisdiction  Appellate jurisdiction has been conferred upon
    the Supreme Court by various statutes under the authority given Congress
    by the Constitution. The basic statute effective at this time in
    conferring and controlling jurisdiction of the Supreme Court may be
    found in 28 U.S.C. 1251, 1253, 1254, 1257-1259, and various special
    statutes. Congress has no authority to change the original jurisdiction
    of this Court.

    Rulemaking Power  Congress has from time to time conferred upon the
    Supreme Court power to prescribe rules of procedure to be followed by
    the lower courts of the United States.
    Court Term  The term of the Court begins on the first Monday in October
    and lasts until the first Monday in October of the next year.
    Approximately 7,000 cases are filed with the Court in the course of a
    term, and some 1,200 applications of various kinds are filed each year
    that can be acted upon by a single Justice.

    Access to Facilities  The Supreme Court is open to the public from 9
    a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on Federal legal
    holidays. Unless the Court or Chief Justice orders otherwise, the
    Clerk's office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
    except on Federal legal holidays. The library is open to members of the
    bar of the Court, attorneys for the various Federal departments and
    agencies, and Members of Congress.

    For further information concerning the Supreme Court, contact the Public
    Information Office, United States Supreme Court Building, One First
    Street NE., Washington, DC 20543. Phone, 202-479-3211. Internet,
    www.supremecourtus.gov.