Direct answer: There are about 1,770 authorized federal judge positions in the United States across the nation’s federal courts, though the exact number actively serving at any moment varies due to vacancies and retirements.
Explanation and context:
- The federal judiciary comprises three main tiers: the Supreme Court, the Courts of Appeals, and the District Courts, plus a few specialized courts. Historically, the total authorized Article III judgeships have hovered around 1,700–1,900, with specific counts cited in official and secondary sources.
- Current discussions and official filings show ongoing efforts to expand the number of judgeships to address growing caseloads, including proposals for dozens of new district court seats. This reflects the dynamic nature of the court system and the number of vacancies at any given time.
Notes:
- If you need the precise active count by court type (Supreme Court, Courts of Appeals, District Courts, and specialized courts) for a specific date, I can pull the latest official figures and break them down.
