162-2. Disqualifications for the office.
(a) No person shall be eligible for the office of sheriff if any of the following apply:
(1) The person is not of the age of 21 years.
(2) The person has been convicted of a felony in this State, the United States, or any other state, whether or not that person has been restored to the rights of citizenship or granted an expunction. This subdivision shall not include an unconditional pardon of innocence.
(3) The person is not a qualified voter in the county in which the candidate is chosen.
(b) Notwithstanding Article 5 of Chapter 15A of the General Statutes, any person filing a notice of candidacy, or any appointee selected to fill a vacancy, to the office of sheriff shall provide a statement of disclosure prepared by the North Carolina Sheriffs' Education and Training Standards Commission in accordance with Article 3 of Chapter 17E of the General Statutes.
(c) No person shall engage in the practice of law or serve as a member of the General Assembly while serving as sheriff.