[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
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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.