When a court in one state cites a decision from another state, what type of authority does this represent?

When a court in one state cites a decision from another state, it is using persuasive authority. Persuasive authority refers to legal principles or precedents that are not binding on the court but may influence its decision-making. Courts often look to decisions from other jurisdictions for guidance, especially when the legal issues are similar or when there is no binding authority within their own jurisdiction.

In this context, the courts are acknowledging the reasoning and conclusions of another state's decision without the obligation to follow it as a rule. Instead, the court may consider how the other state’s court interpreted similar laws or dealt with comparable situations, and it can choose to adopt that reasoning if it finds it relevant and persuasive. This practice helps foster consistency and development of law across different jurisdictions, even if the outcomes are not mandated by a higher court ruling within the same state.