Perhaps you're making an assumption that "normal citizens" receive legal threats regularly? I can count the legal threats I've received on one hand, and I can assure you the days following them were, unfortunately, quite unpleasant (fortunately nothing came of it).
Stress aside, part of the problem is the very real possibility of a subject wasting money on hiring a lawyer.
Stress aside, part of the problem is the very real possibility of a subject wasting money on hiring a lawyer.