PHOENIX (AP) -- A Maricopa County court is trying group-therapy methods instead of jail threats to collect overdue traffic fines.

San Marcos Justice of the Peace Keith Frankel started mandatory "Responsibility Classes" this year for defendants who blew off the fines, didn't show up for court or failed to attend required alcohol-screening sessions following a drunk-driving citation.

The second class of 17 scofflaws "graduated" last week, fulfilling the class requirement of setting up a payment plan.

"Most of them willingly made a commitment to put down some money and set up a plan. I'm encouraged," said Frankel.

The class is a pilot program started by Frankel, who's a former social worker.

It's designed to improve fine collections and change a few lives in the process.

So far, it's the only one of its kind in Arizona.

The court serves Chandler and Ahwatukee Foothills.

Most of the students have multiple unresolved citations and warrants issued for their arrest for failure to pay fines or appear in court.

When he started the program this year, Frankel said it doesn't make economic sense to put someone in jail at public expense just because they didn't pay a traffic fine.

But county records show last year justice courts assessed $44,535,387 in fines and collected only $26,563,036.

As part of last week's final session, each student had to write up a plan to pay the fines. Frankel said he will monitor the results.

The first series of classes finished in May with seven participants and all appear to be living up to their commitments, according to Frankel.

Some in the current sessions have already paid and only one of 18 ordered to attend was a no-show.

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Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com

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