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From the Government Manual Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Page 67-68]
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 John G. Roberts, Jr.
Associate Justices John Paul Stevens,
Antonin
Scalia,
Anthony M.
Kennedy, David
H. Souter,
Clarence
Thomas, Ruth
Bader
Ginsburg,
Stephen G.
Breyer, Samuel
A. Alito, Jr.
Officers:
Administrative Assistant to the Jeffrey P. Minear
Chief Justice
Clerk William K. Suter
Court Counsel Scott S. Harris
Curator Catherine E. Fitts
Director of Data Systems Donna Clement
Librarian Judith Gaskell
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 include the Administrative Assistant to the Chief Justice, the
Clerk, the Reporter
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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 8,000 cases are filed with the Court in the course of a
term, and some 1,000 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 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.