How do you think it would play out if protob refuses lawful orders from a court in the country they operate in? 

I do think proton does a lot of misleading advertising, but its still on the user to research and have good opsec. Paying with a card when crypto is an option, using the same service for both email and a vpn, using that service from a public wifi near where you are known to live while actively doing crimes.. Proton is running a business not a criminal protection racket.