What portion of all federal judges are Supreme Court Justices?

Critical Analysis

Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:

1. Identify the three types of judges from the visual above.

2. Approximately what portion of all Article III Judges are Supreme Court Justices?

3. Why do we need so many more district court judges than Supreme Court Justices?

4. Congress initially authorized the appointment of 19 such judges. From 1789 through 1891, there were never more than 100 Article III judges serving at any given point in time. During the twentieth century, however, the judiciary began to grow more rapidly. From 1940 to 1970, for example, the number of positions authorized by Congress more than doubled (from 257 to 521). The number of authorized Article III judgeships has remained at 860 since 2003. Indeed, approximately one third of all Article III judges ever appointed remain on the federal bench today. Identify one trend in the chart.

5. Why do you think the number of Article III judges is so much higher today than in 1789?

6. List one consequences of the expanding size of the courts.

7. Explain why while overall the size of the federal courts has increased dramatically, the Supreme Court has remained almost the same size.

8. We hear so much more about the Supreme Court than about the other Article III (Federal) courts. Why do you think that is?

9. The average age of a Supreme Court Justice is currently about 62. The average age of an Article III (federal) judge is almost 70. In 1790 it was less than 50. How do you explain that change?

10. Explain whether a terribly rambunctious Supreme Court or a terribly rambunctious President would have more ability to wreak havoc on our nation?

Write and Discuss

Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.

Act on your Learning

Write a letter to the United States Supreme Court (of course you can't email them, they're old)

Supreme Court of the United States
1 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20543

Tell them what you think about a mandatory retirement age.

Learn More

The Federal Judicial Center ROCKS! Check out their great resources!

Get Creative

What if Supreme Court Justices traded in their robes for jumpsuits? Now that would be snazzy. Consider the best way to update the Supreme Court to make it more accessible for younger people and members of Generation Z.