[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.