how long do supreme court justices serve for?

U.S. Supreme Court justices serve lifetime appointments, meaning they serve until they die, retire, resign, or are impeached and removed from office. This life tenure is granted to ensure judicial independence by allowing justices to decide cases without fear of political pressure or losing their positions. Unlike many state supreme courts that impose fixed terms ranging from 6 to 14 years or have mandatory retirement ages, the U.S. Supreme Court has justices who often serve for many decades. The average tenure for justices who have left since 1970 is around 25 years, and some justices have served over 30 years, with the longest serving justice holding office for more than 36 years. The life tenure is established under Article III of the U.S. Constitution, often described as serving "during good Behaviour".