Fast, Reliable Bail Services When You Need Them Most!
Nobody expects to get that phone call. Your brother, your son, your spouse; suddenly they’re sitting in the Bexar County Jail on North Comal, and you’re scrambling to figure out how to post bail.
We here at McRae Bail Bonds have been helping San Antonio families through exactly this situation for years. Whether someone got arrested Downtown near the courthouse during Fiesta week, over on the Eastside near the AT&T Center, or anywhere around the 210, we know these jails and how they work. More importantly, we know how to get people out fast.
Look, the bail process can be confusing if you’ve never dealt with it before. There’s paperwork, there’s waiting around, and honestly, some operations will leave you hanging when you need answers most. That’s not how we operate as your 24 hour bail bondsman.
We’re available around the clock because arrests don’t happen on a schedule. Our phone doesn’t go to voicemail at 2 AM, and we don’t make you wait until “business hours” to start working on getting your family member home.
Need help right now? Call (210) 463-5561) and let’s get this handled.
We Handle Most Types of Bail Bonds
Here’s the thing about bail bonds; they’re not all the same. Whether someone got arrested near the Pearl District or down in Southtown, the type of bond depends on what happened and what the judge decided.
We handle general bail bonds for most arrests, but sometimes the court wants cash only bail bonds, which means no financing options. That’s frustrating, but we’ll walk you through your choices. Got a DUI situation on 281 or I-35? We deal with DUI bail bonds regularly and know exactly what documentation the Bexar County courts expect.
For smaller charges, you might qualify for signature bail bonds, where someone just needs to sign promising the person will show up to court. Surety bail bonds are our bread and butter for more serious cases; that’s where we put up the money and you pay us a percentage.
Whatever type you’re dealing with, McRae Bail Bonds has seen it before. Some bail company operations only handle certain kinds of cases. We don’t pick and choose.
We Know San Antonio’s Jails Better Than Anyone
Most bail agents in town can handle the paperwork, but do they actually know the ins and outs of each facility? We’ve been getting people out of the Bexar County Jail on North Comal Street for years. We know which deputies work which shifts, how long processing usually takes, and what paperwork gets things moving faster.
The San Antonio Detention Center downtown on South Frio? Different story entirely. City arrests get processed there first before potentially moving to county. Whether someone got picked up near the Pearl District, in the King William area, or anywhere from Alamo Heights to the West Side, we know exactly where they’ll end up.
We also handle cases from the far reaches; Stone Oak, Helotes, even out toward Schertz when Bexar County has jurisdiction.
Here’s what separates any bail bonds office from the rest: while other companies are calling around trying to figure out where someone is, McRae Bail Bonds already knows the system inside and out.
The Bail Bonds Process in San Antonio, TX
Most people have no clue how this works in San Antonio, and honestly, it’s more straightforward than you’d think.
First, they book your person at either the detention center on South Frio or county jail on North Comal; fingerprints, photos, the whole deal. Then comes the magistrate hearing, usually within 24 hours at the Bexar County Courthouse. That’s when the judge sets bail.
Once bail is set, we post bail immediately. You don’t need the full amount; typically just 10% as our fee. We handle the jail bonds paperwork and put up the rest. The tricky part is making sure everything’s perfect, because one missing signature means they sit there longer.
After we file with the court, the release starts. County takes 2-4 hours, downtown varies by shift. From Southtown to Stone Oak, the bail bonds process works the same way throughout San Antonio.
Bottom line: McRae Bail Bonds handles every step so you don’t figure this out alone.
Why McRae Bail Bonds Gets Results
Here’s what separates us from other bail bond companies around San Antonio: we actually answer our phones. Sounds basic, right? But when you’re panicking at 3 AM because someone got arrested near the Pearl District or downtown, you don’t want to leave voicemails. We provide 24 bail assistance because emergencies don’t wait for business hours.
We’ve built relationships with staff at both facilities over the years. When we walk into the Bexar County Jail or the detention center on South Frio, they know us. That means faster processing, fewer delays, and honest answers about timing.
Other companies might promise the world, then disappear when complications arise. McRae Bail Bonds sticks with every jail bond case until your family member walks out. Whether it’s a simple release in Alamo Heights or a complex situation in Southtown, our bail services don’t stop at paperwork. You’re getting advocates who know San Antonio’s system inside and out. Call (210) 463-5561) and see the difference.
Our Service Areas
Getting arrested doesn’t happen in convenient locations. That’s why McRae Bail Bonds serves everywhere from Downtown San Antonio to the far reaches of Bexar County and six surrounding counties.
Within San Antonio, we handle cases from the Pearl District to Southtown, from Stone Oak to the Medical Center area. Whether someone got picked up in Alamo Heights, Universal City, or way out in Helotes, we know those jurisdictions and their procedures.
But arrests don’t stop at city limits. We also work throughout Comal County in New Braunfels, Guadalupe County in Seguin, and Kendall County in Boerne. Each county has different jails, different paperwork, different timing; and we’ve handled cases in all of them.
Some bail bond companies stick to easy cases close to home. We don’t cherry-pick. Whether it’s a simple release downtown or a complex case out in Floresville, our service areas cover everywhere families need help.
About John McRae and Our San Antonio Team
John McRae didn’t stumble into the bail bonds business. He’s been helping San Antonio families for over 3 decades, and he personally oversees every case to make sure it gets handled right.
What sets John apart is his deep knowledge of our local legal system. He knows the courts, the jails on North Comal and South Frio, and exactly how bail bonds work around Bexar County. While other bail agents are still learning basic procedures, John’s already earned the trust of attorneys and law enforcement from Downtown to Stone Oak.
John built this operation on the belief that people deserve straight answers during their worst moments. No runaround, no surprises; just honest help getting someone home.
McRae Bail Bonds serves every corner of San Antonio, from Southtown to the Medical Center area. Whether it’s 2 PM or 2 AM, John makes sure our team answers the phone when families need us. When you’re dealing with an arrest, experience matters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
In Texas, after arrest, a judge sets bail at a hearing. You can pay the full amount to the court directly, or hire a licensed bail bondsman who charges 10% of the total bail. We post the full bond with the court using our license and financial backing. The defendant gets released, and as long as they appear for court dates, our obligation ends. This system lets families afford release without liquidating major assets or savings.
Absolutely, especially for bonds over $5,000. On a $50,000 bond, you pay us $5,000 instead of tying up $50,000 for months or years. We handle all paperwork, know Bexar County’s requirements, and expedite the release process. After 15 years in San Antonio, we’ve seen families struggle trying to navigate this system alone; it rarely goes smoothly without professional help.
Texas-licensed bail bondsmen can post bail with courts, charge up to 10% of the bond amount, require collateral for high-risk cases, and work with bounty hunters if someone skips court. We cannot practice law, give legal advice, or charge more than the state-mandated 10%. In Bexar County, we work directly with the jail’s bonding department and know local procedures to get releases processed quickly.
Anyone can pay; family members, friends, employers, or the defendant themselves. We often work with multiple family members pooling resources. The person signing becomes the “indemnitor” and ensures the defendant appears in court. We accept cash, credit cards, and payment plans for larger bonds. Some families use collateral like vehicle titles instead of paying the full 10% upfront.
We have options. We offer payment plans for qualifying families and accept collateral like vehicle titles or property deeds instead of requiring full 10% upfront. Families can pool resources from multiple relatives. After 15 years in San Antonio, John McRae has helped families find creative solutions. Don’t let someone sit in jail without exploring your options first.
Texas law caps fees at 10% of total bail; no more, no less. $10,000 bond costs $1,000. $50,000 bond costs $5,000. This fee is non-refundable regardless of case outcome. At McRae Bail Bonds, we quote exact prices upfront with no hidden fees. The 10% rate is required by Texas law and applies to all licensed bail bondsmen.
$1,000—that’s 10% as required by Texas law. This covers our fee for posting the full amount with Bexar County. We accept cash, credit cards, or payment arrangements. Some families use car titles as collateral to reduce upfront cash. Without a bondsman, you’d need the full $10,000 paid directly to the court.
Yes, if you have the full amount in cash and someone to navigate jail payment procedures. Most people don’t have tens of thousands readily available, and that cash stays tied up with the court until case resolution, sometimes years. Even if you can afford it, using a bail bondsman preserves your liquidity and gets faster results.
Until your case resolves, potentially months or years depending on charges and court backlog. Misdemeanors might take 3-6 months, felonies often 12-18 months or longer. Texas has no time limits on pre-trial detention if you can’t make bail. That’s why exploring options with an experienced bail bondsman makes sense—difficult financial situations often have solutions.
With McRae Bail Bonds, you pay 10% of whatever the judge set as bail. $5,000 bail costs $500. $25,000 bail costs $2,500. We can arrange payment plans or accept collateral for some situations. John McRae knows Bexar County’s requirements and can often get someone released within 2-4 hours of posting bond.