How many observers fit into the US Supreme Court courtroom?

Answer 1

Excluding the Justices, court staff, and attorneys arguing at bar, the US Supreme Court has a total seating capacity of 400 spectators, which includes 330 seats for the public:

* 250 seats for the general public * 80 seats for attorneys admitted to practice before the Court (for general viewing purposes) * 70 seats for the Justices' law clerks, Justices' guests, and members of the press. Representatives of the press sit on red benches on the left side of the Court; the Justices' guests and law clerks sit on red benches on the right side of the Court; Officers of the Court (attorneys approved to argue before the Court) and visiting dignitaries sit in black chairs in front of the red benches.

General visitors to the Court sit in the 250 seats in the center of the courtroom, behind the bronze railing separating the bar from spectators.

A portion of the general seating is for members of the public who wish to view an entire argument, which last approximately one hour (each side is allotted 30 minutes); the remainder of the seating is for transient viewers who only want to watch the session for a short time. These people are ushered in and out of the courtroom every three minutes.

Seating is available on a first-come-first-served basis.