Chief Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court

Federal Government

The three branches of the United States federal government are the executive, legislative, and judicial. The head of the judicial branch is the Chief Justice of the United States. The Chief Justice is both the head of United States federal court system and the chief judge of the Supreme Court of the United States. The Chief Justice is one of nine voting justices, the other eight being known as Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States. From 1789 to 1866, the official title was Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

As the highest judicial officer in the country, the Chief Justice acts as a chief administrative officer for the federal courts, appoints the director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, and serves as spokesman for the judicial branch.

In general, the Chief Justice has not previously served as an Associate Justice before his appointment to the highest position. Like the other justices, the Chief Justice is appointed for life. In practice, most retire, albeit at an advanced age. John Marshall, who served longer than any other Chief Justice, died as the result of an accident at the age of 79.