The New Hampshire Supreme Court is making it clear that not everyone who passes the bar exam gets to practice law.

The court has denied the appeal of a would-be lawyer who was shot down by its Committee on Character and Fitness.

The applicant - identified in the ruling by the initials G.W. - admitted it was a "bad joke" to pretend to be an armed robber at a North Conway convenience store on April Fool's Day 1993. He's also been convicted of drunk driving, violating a restraining order and criminal threatening and he has more than $130,000 in delinquent student loans.

When asked for positive traits, G.W. said it was an amazing accomplishment that he passed the bar exam in 2008 after 20 years and seven unsuccessful attempts.