When someone calls me at 3 AM asking about getting their husband out of Bexar County Jail, the first thing they want to know is “what kind of bond do we need?” After 40 years working bail bonds in San Antonio, I can tell you that most people have no idea there are different types of bonds; and that’s perfectly normal. You shouldn’t have to be an expert on McRae Bail Bonds terminology when you’re dealing with a family crisis. That’s why I’m gonna break down the different bond types in plain English so you know exactly what you’re dealing with in San Antonio’s court system. Every situation is different, but we’ll figure out which option works best for your family and your budget. Call us right now at 210-463-5561 and let’s get this sorted out.
Most Common Bond Types San Antonio
Look, about 85% of the bonds we post in San Antonio’s court system are surety bonds. That’s the standard jail bond where you pay us a percentage of the total bond amount; usually 10%—and we post the full amount with the court. So if Magistrate Judge Lopez or one of the other county magistrates sets bond at $10,000, you pay us $1,000 and we handle the rest.
The other types you might run into are cash bonds (where you pay the full amount directly to the court), property bonds (using real estate as collateral), and personal recognizance bonds (where they release your person on their promise to show up). Personal recognizance is rare in San Antonio and usually only for minor charges with first-time offenders who have strong community ties.
Immigration bonds are handled differently because they involve federal authorities at the Karnes County facility, not just our local county system. These take more time and paperwork, but unlike those big chain companies operating out of Houston or Dallas, we handle federal immigration cases regularly right here in San Antonio.
San Antonio Surety Bond Process
This is what most San Antonio families end up using because it’s the most practical option. Think of it like insurance, you pay a premium, and we guarantee the court that your person will show up for their court date. If they don’t show up, we’re on the hook for the full amount.
Here’s how do jail bonds work in our local system: the magistrate sets a bond amount based on the charges and your person’s history. Let’s say it’s $5,000. You pay us $500 (the 10% fee), we post the $5,000 with Bexar County, and your person gets released. That $500 is our fee, you don’t get it back, but you also don’t have to come up with the full $5,000.
The key thing to understand is that our fee is earned once we post the bond. As long as your person shows up to their court date at the Paul Elizondo Tower or wherever their hearing is scheduled, that’s the only money you’ll spend. Don’t let anyone confuse you with complicated explanations, bring us your paperwork and we’ll explain exactly what you’re looking at.
Cash vs Property Bond Options
Cash bonds mean you pay the full amount directly to Bexar County. If bond is $10,000, you need $10,000 cash. The good news is you get most of it back after the case is resolved, minus court fees. The bad news is most San Antonio families don’t have that kind of cash sitting around, especially with today’s cost of living.
Property bonds let you use real estate as collateral. If you own a house in Stone Oak or Terrell Hills worth significantly more than the bond amount, the county might accept the property instead of cash. But here’s the catch, if your person doesn’t show up to court, you could lose your house. It’s a big risk that most families aren’t comfortable taking.
Honestly, unless you’ve got serious money in the bank or own property outright, surety bonds are usually your best bet. We can work with your budget to make the payments manageable. Let us review your specific situation and recommend the safest option for your family.
Federal and Immigration Bond Types
Immigration bonds are handled through ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), not the Bexar County jail system. These bonds are typically higher, often $15,000 to $25,000; and the process takes longer because it involves federal bureaucracy.
If your family member is being held on immigration charges at the Karnes County Detention Center or the South Texas Detention Complex, you’ll need a jail bond company that knows how to navigate federal procedures. Unlike the big chain operations that handle everything remotely, we work directly with immigration attorneys here in San Antonio and understand the additional paperwork and waiting periods involved.
Federal bonds for other crimes (like drug trafficking or weapons charges) also go through a different system with stricter requirements. These cases often require more collateral and have additional restrictions on release. Don’t try to navigate federal procedures alone, let our experience guide you through the process.
Which Type Fits Your Budget
Let me be straight with you, most working families in San Antonio can’t afford to tie up thousands of dollars in cash bonds. That’s why surety bonds exist. Whether you’re making $25,000 a year or $60,000 a year, paying 10% is a lot more manageable than coming up with the full amount.
We’ve worked with single mothers earning minimum wage and families where both parents work but are still living paycheck to paycheck throughout San Antonio and Bexar County. The goal is getting your person out without putting your family in financial trouble. McRae Bail Bonds offers payment plans because we understand that even that 10% can be tough to come up with all at once.
Property bonds sound good in theory, but I’ve seen families lose their homes when something went wrong. Unless you’re absolutely certain about the risks and have significant equity, stick with surety bonds. Tell us about your financial situation and we’ll help you choose the smartest option.
Local Expert Bond Type Guidance
Here’s the bottom line, you don’t need to figure this out on your own. After four decades of handling everything from simple DWI cases to complex federal charges in San Antonio, we know which type of bond makes sense for each situation. Every case is different based on the charges, your person’s history, and your family’s financial situation.
Some local magistrates prefer certain types of bonds. Some charges automatically require cash-only bonds. Immigration cases have completely different federal rules. Unlike those big chain companies with call centers in other states, McRae Bail Bonds knows the local courts, the federal system, and can explain your options in plain English without the runaround.
Don’t waste time trying to become an expert on bond types when your family member is sitting in jail. Call McRae Bail Bonds at 210-463-5561 and let us handle the complicated stuff while you focus on being there for your family.