PROVIDENCE -- The state Senate returns for a one-day special session Thursday to confirm, or re-confirm, several judges or magistrates to the state's court system.

Most of the appointees have strong connections to the General Assembly, and specifically the Senate, which alone has the authority to confirm judicial appointments to lifetime judgeships.

The Senate Judiciary Committee will meet Thursday at 2:30 to hear from the appointees, before the full Senate meets at around 4 p.m. to approve the recommendations.

The appointees include:

- R. David Cruise, chief of staff to Joseph Montalbano, president of the Senate. Cruise was tapped to serve a 10-year term as a magistrate for the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal.

- Mary Elizabeth McCaffrey, sister of the Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Michael J. McCaffrey, D-Warwick. Mary McCaffrey would serve as an associate judge for the Rhode Island District Court if approved.

- Susan Revens, former wife of state Sen. John C. Revens Jr., who previously served as senate majority leader. Susan Revens would be re-confirmed to another 10-year term to the position of magistrate if confirmed. Her ex-husband announced this week he would not seek reelection.

- William McAtee, former state representative from Cumberland. McAtee would be re-confirmed to another 10-year term to the position of magistrate.

- The only appointee without a direct connection to the Assembly, Alan R. Goulart, 48, of North Kingstown, is currently chief of the criminal division at the Attorney General’s Office. He would serve a 10-year term as a magistrate for the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal if confirmed.

-- Steve Peoples, Journal State House Bureau