Do justices of the Supreme Court have Secret Service?

Asked by: Shanel Hudson  |  Last update: February 9, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (62 votes)

No, Supreme Court Justices do not have the Secret Service, but they receive protection from the U.S. Marshals Service and the Supreme Court Police, especially after increased threats, with the Marshals providing 24/7 security for residences and domestic travel, while the Court Police handle the Court building and sometimes join details. This system ensures security both at the Court in D.C. and at justices' homes and on trips.

Do Supreme Court justices have secret service?

In addition to more common law enforcement tasks, SCUSPD personnel, in conjunction with United States Marshals Service personnel, are responsible for providing personal protection details to Supreme Court justices (and the chief justice) both domestically and internationally, as well as the justices' homes.

What security clearance do Supreme Court justices have?

A security clearance for justices and other Article III judges is not required. The court shall timely notify the classified information security officer of the names of court personnel who may require access to classified information.

Who protects the Supreme Court justices?

The Supreme Court of the United States Police is a federal law enforcement agency, whose primary goal is to ensure the integrity of the Constitutional Mission of the Supreme Court of the United States by protecting the Supreme Court, the Justices, employees, guests, and visitors.

Does the Supreme Court have U.S. Marshals?

A statute of 1867 authorized the Supreme Court to appoint its own marshal. Congress authorized the marshals to adjourn sessions of the district and circuit courts when the judge or judges of those courts were absent.

Do Supreme Court Justices Have Secret Service? - CountyOffice.org

39 related questions found

Which officials get secret service?

Who is the Secret Service authorized to protect? By law, the Secret Service is authorized to protect: The president, the vice president, (or other individuals next in order of succession to the Office of the President), the president-elect and vice president-elect. The immediate families of the above individuals.

Who has more authority, the FBI or US Marshals?

The Marshals have the broadest arrest authority among federal law enforcement agencies. > The Marshals provide assistance to state and local agencies in locating and apprehending their most violent fugitives. > The Marshals arrest on average 337 fugitives every day. >

Can a president fire a supreme judge?

No, a U.S. President cannot fire a Supreme Court Justice; they serve for life ("during good behavior") and can only be removed through the impeachment process by Congress (House impeaches, Senate convicts) for serious misconduct, ensuring judicial independence from political pressure. 

Do Supreme Court justices get paid for life?

When the Forty-First Congress took up the bill that became the Judiciary Act of 1869, Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts introduced an amendment allowing all federal judges, upon reaching age seventy, to retire and continue to receive their full salary for life.

Do judges have security at home?

Judicial Security Division manages contracts for over 5,300 Court Security Officers, maintains more than 1,600 residential security systems in judges' personal residences, and as the physical security provider to over 700 federal facilities, the U.S. Marshals Service develops, manages, and implements security systems ...

Which president refused Secret Service protection?

Richard Nixon was the only U.S. president to decline Secret Service protection, doing so in 1985 to save the government money, hiring private guards instead; current and former presidents receive lifetime protection unless they specifically opt out, as Nixon did, but recent discussions have involved protection for former Vice Presidents, like Kamala Harris, rather than the President themselves. 

Can the President change the number of Supreme Court justices?

No, the President cannot directly change the number of Supreme Court Justices; only Congress has that power by passing a law, but the President must sign that law for it to take effect, meaning both branches must agree, as seen with the Judiciary Act of 1869 fixing the number at nine. While presidents appoint justices, they can only fill existing vacancies or new ones Congress creates, as the Constitution doesn't set the court's size, allowing Congress to adjust it as a legislative check. 

Is becoming a judge harder than a lawyer?

Yes, becoming a judge is generally much harder than becoming a lawyer because it requires years of successful legal practice, navigating political hurdles (election or appointment), and facing intense competition for a limited number of spots, whereas becoming a lawyer primarily requires law school and passing the bar exam, making the path to judgeship a significantly more difficult, specialized, and selective career progression. 

What is the salary of Supreme Court justices?

As of early 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice earns around $317,500, while Associate Justices earn about $303,600, with slight variations depending on the source and specific effective date, reflecting annual adjustments set by Congress. These figures represent significant increases over recent years, with salaries rising from the $274,200 (Associate) and $286,700 (Chief) in 2022. 

Do members of Congress get security?

Congress provides the U.S. Capitol Police the authority to conduct PPD operations for Members generally, and specifically for congressional leadership. This authority is typically provided through annual appropriations for the U.S. Capitol Police.

Can a Supreme Court justice have a criminal record?

While justices can be accused, tried and even found guilty of any crime, they won't lost their Supreme Court seat because of any sentence. The only way a justice on the Supreme Court can be removed is by impeachment and subsequent conviction.

What is the president's salary?

The U.S. President receives a $400,000 annual salary, a rate set in 2001, plus a $50,000 expense account for official duties, a $100,000 non-taxable travel account, and $19,000 for entertainment, along with perks like housing, healthcare, and security, though some presidents donate their salary. 

Who is the highest paid judge in the United States?

The highest-paid judges in the U.S. are typically Federal Judges, especially Supreme Court Justices, followed by high-level state court judges in states like California and Illinois, with federal Chief Justice salary over $300k and state supreme justices nearing $300k, according to early 2024 data. State judges in California and Illinois consistently rank at the top for various court levels, while salaries vary significantly by state. 

How much pension do Supreme Court judges get?

Salary: ₹2,50,000 per month. Pension: ₹15,00,000 per annum (with Dearness Relief) Gratuity: ₹20,00,000.

Who can overrule a Supreme Court judge?

A Supreme Court decision can be overturned by another Supreme Court ruling (a new case), a Constitutional Amendment, or if the ruling interpreted a federal statute, by Congress passing a new law. While the President can't overturn a decision directly, they influence future courts through appointments, and Congress can pass legislation to clarify or change laws interpreted by the Court. 

Who was the youngest Supreme Court justice?

The youngest Supreme Court Justice ever appointed was Joseph Story, who joined the court in 1812 at the age of 32, a record that still stands. He was nominated by President James Madison and served on the court for over 30 years, becoming a key figure in American constitutional law. 

Do Supreme Court justices have drivers?

By law, the California Supreme Court and the appellate courts must contract security services with the CHP, which took over the duty in 1995 when it absorbed the old state police department.

Can a U.S. marshal pull you over?

Yes, a U.S. Marshal can pull you over, but it's rare and usually happens only when they are actively pursuing a federal fugitive, like someone with an active arrest warrant for a serious crime or skipping federal court, not for routine traffic violations. While their primary job is supporting the federal courts and tracking fugitives, they have broad authority to enforce federal law and can make arrests, so if you're a target, they have the power to stop you. 

Who is higher than CIA?

The Director of National Intelligence (DNI) is above the CIA, overseeing the entire U.S. Intelligence Community, including the CIA, to ensure coordination, while the President, Congress, and the National Security Council (NSC) also hold ultimate authority and oversight roles, with the CIA reporting to the DNI but also briefing the President directly and seeking congressional funding.
 

Who was the first female U.S. Marshal?

Phoebe Couzins. Phoebe Wilson Couzins was an early trailblazer for women. She was one of the first female lawyers in the United States, the first female U.S. marshal, and an outspoken supporter of women's right to vote.