What can a person do if they believe a subpoena is overly burdensome?

When a person believes that a subpoena is overly burdensome, the appropriate course of action is to request a protective order. This legal motion can be made to a court, seeking to modify or quash the subpoena based on the argument that complying with its demands would cause undue hardship or is otherwise unreasonable.

Requesting a protective order allows the individual to formally address their concerns regarding the subpoena in a legal context, where a judge can evaluate the validity of those concerns and potentially limit the scope of the subpoena or relieve the individual from the requirement to comply in its current form. It ensures that any objections are handled through the legal system, maintaining the integrity of the process while also respecting the rights and burdens of those who are subpoenaed.

Other actions, such as ignoring the subpoena entirely, may lead to legal penalties or contempt of court, while simply contacting the issuer does not provide legal protection or change the legal obligations set forth by the subpoena. Filing a complaint with local police is not relevant in the context of contesting a subpoena. Thus, requesting a protective order is the correct and legally appropriate action to take.