That being the case, to bust you they have to get you to say you are breaking the law, no?   So, if you show up at a sting operation and they say what are you doing here and you say "just hiring an escort, nothing illegal" and refuse to say anything else I don't see how they can bust you.  If you refuse to become scared or intimidated and refuse to answer their q's I doubt there is much they can do.

Actually could be illegal. Since you can "legally" escort in Scottsdale, it's almost impossible to obtain an escort license. So, if you see a provider that doesn't have one, she is breaking the law and well they have probable cause on you for hiring her. The lax law says she must provide her license in her ad with the escorting ID number. It's just another tactic that LE likes using to use. So in the long run, it's better to not say anything at all.  

A very narrowly defined definition of "escorting" that is.   One that doesn't involve any hanky panky at any time.  

Subject to local "escort" licenses, keeping logs, and other such nonsense in the cities and towns that require such things.  But of course, those requirements are for the escort herself, not her client.

So to answer your question, if you said you are "just hiring an escort" and you refuse to elaborate any further about anything, then you wouldn't be doing anything illegal per se.  If you say anything at all that alludes to paying for sex, then you would be doing something illegal.  Assuming of course that all parties are over the age of 18.  

Of course, cops can bust you anyway if they want to be assholes about it, but you certainly don't have to help them to do so by providing them with evidence to convict you in court.  If they have a very weak case because you didn't say anything incriminating, then your lawyer will damn well say "he was just hiring an escort, nothing illegal" and you stand a better chance of having all charges dismissed just based on that.  

People who get convicted seem to incriminate themselves by saying the wrong thing.  If you watch videos on youtube where they bust people, it is always right after the client says something wrong.  The fake escort will just ask the client what he wants, and if the client says "sex" then he is busted 1 second later by 5 cops who suddenly barge into the room.  So saying nothing is always the best policy.  

One guy who made a youtube video suggest you ask for the escort to strip and model for you if she asks what you want.  Modeling like that is not illegal, a real escort would do that, a fake escort (cop) with hidden cameras in the room being watched by 5 other cops in the next room would probably refuse.  Then ask for a massage, which is also not illegal.  Then....

This is all my opinion only, not legal advice.  

Well said!  You get it.  Unless they flat out lie, they just trick guys into incriminating themselves.   If an undercover officer asks, "why are you here, what do you want" it is easy to say "well, umm, nothing illegal!"

Of course, no "REAL" escort will ever say that.

My suggestion is should you find yourself in that situation (which shouldn't happen if you practice safe fun, verify, and stick with well reviewed ladies), the thing is you have to directly and truthfully answer the question of identifying yourself and produce ID.  Then STFU.  

Since you probably have Blackshirted Jackbooted goons all over you, all loaded to take down Kim Jong-Un with bazookas pointed at your head and on the ground, the question of "Am I being detained?" may be moot.   Ya still got to ask it anyway, which sets up the next responses from them:  If it is "yes", then your next statement needs to be along the lines of "In accordance with the 4th and 5th Amendments, I exercise my rights to remain silent and not make any further statements without the presence of my lawyer."  Then REALLY STFU!!

If "no" (highly doubtful with a couple of M4 carbines pointed at your head), get your ID, go away and obey every traffic law as you leave.  

Before you get to this point, unless you have a personal friend that is an attorney, you should really interview a few criminal defense attorneys and tell them why you may need their services, and see if they'll take a $100 retainer, just in case.  Keep their card with you, and have the # in whatever phone you use for fun.    

My $0.02, take it or leave it.