After he left the Saline County Prosecuting Attorney's Office in 2001 following six years of service as Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney under Prosecuting Attorney Barbara Webb, Governor Mike Huckabee appointed Brent to serve as District Court Judge in North Little Rock.  Brent took office in 2002 and served as judge for two years, having jurisdiction over criminal and traffic matters that occurred within Pulaski County as well as code enforcement cases which occurred in North Little Rock.

During this time period Brent decided over 40,000 cases, and performed all duties of a District Court Judge including reviewing and issuing search and seizure and arrest warrants and presiding over bond hearings of individuals who had been arrested for crimes, including misdemeanor and felony offenses.  Brent's service as District Court Judge was exemplary and he was fair to all who came before him.

In addition to serving as a full-time District Court Judge, Brent has also served as a Special Judge for the North Little Rock and Sherwood Departments of the District Court in Pulaski County, and for the Bryant Department of the District Court in Saline County.