public static boolean removeHardcodedChecks(Statement root, StructMethod mt) {

    boolean checks_removed = false;

    // parameter @NotNull annotations
    while (findAndRemoveParameterCheck(root, mt)) { // iterate until nothing found. Each invocation removes one parameter check.
      checks_removed = true;
    }

    // method @NotNull annotation
    while (findAndRemoveReturnCheck(root, mt)) { // iterate until nothing found. Each invocation handles one method exit check.
      checks_removed = true;
    }

    return checks_removed;
  }
public static boolean removeHardcodedChecks(Statement root, StructMethod mt)