diff --git a/compiler/common_compiler_test.h b/compiler/common_compiler_test.h
index fb6c625..5050d4e 100644
--- a/compiler/common_compiler_test.h
+++ b/compiler/common_compiler_test.h
@@ -377,7 +377,7 @@
     timings.EndSplit();
   }
 
-  void CompileDirectMethod(Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader, const char* class_name,
+  void CompileDirectMethod(Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader, const char* class_name,
                            const char* method_name, const char* signature)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_) {
     std::string class_descriptor(DotToDescriptor(class_name));
@@ -390,7 +390,7 @@
     CompileMethod(method);
   }
 
-  void CompileVirtualMethod(Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader, const char* class_name,
+  void CompileVirtualMethod(Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader, const char* class_name,
                             const char* method_name, const char* signature)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_) {
     std::string class_descriptor(DotToDescriptor(class_name));
diff --git a/compiler/driver/compiler_driver-inl.h b/compiler/driver/compiler_driver-inl.h
index 08fd386..45abfcc 100644
--- a/compiler/driver/compiler_driver-inl.h
+++ b/compiler/driver/compiler_driver-inl.h
@@ -42,8 +42,8 @@
 }
 
 inline mirror::Class* CompilerDriver::ResolveCompilingMethodsClass(
-    ScopedObjectAccess& soa, const Handle<mirror::DexCache>& dex_cache,
-    const Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader, const DexCompilationUnit* mUnit) {
+    ScopedObjectAccess& soa, Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache,
+    Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader, const DexCompilationUnit* mUnit) {
   DCHECK_EQ(dex_cache->GetDexFile(), mUnit->GetDexFile());
   DCHECK_EQ(class_loader.Get(), soa.Decode<mirror::ClassLoader*>(mUnit->GetClassLoader()));
   const DexFile::MethodId& referrer_method_id =
@@ -59,8 +59,8 @@
 }
 
 inline mirror::ArtField* CompilerDriver::ResolveField(
-    ScopedObjectAccess& soa, const Handle<mirror::DexCache>& dex_cache,
-    const Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader, const DexCompilationUnit* mUnit,
+    ScopedObjectAccess& soa, Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache,
+    Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader, const DexCompilationUnit* mUnit,
     uint32_t field_idx, bool is_static) {
   DCHECK_EQ(dex_cache->GetDexFile(), mUnit->GetDexFile());
   DCHECK_EQ(class_loader.Get(), soa.Decode<mirror::ClassLoader*>(mUnit->GetClassLoader()));
@@ -165,13 +165,14 @@
 }
 
 inline mirror::ArtMethod* CompilerDriver::ResolveMethod(
-    ScopedObjectAccess& soa, const Handle<mirror::DexCache>& dex_cache,
-    const Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader, const DexCompilationUnit* mUnit,
+    ScopedObjectAccess& soa, Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache,
+    Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader, const DexCompilationUnit* mUnit,
     uint32_t method_idx, InvokeType invoke_type) {
-  DCHECK(dex_cache->GetDexFile() == mUnit->GetDexFile());
-  DCHECK(class_loader.Get() == soa.Decode<mirror::ClassLoader*>(mUnit->GetClassLoader()));
+  DCHECK_EQ(dex_cache->GetDexFile(), mUnit->GetDexFile());
+  DCHECK_EQ(class_loader.Get(), soa.Decode<mirror::ClassLoader*>(mUnit->GetClassLoader()));
   mirror::ArtMethod* resolved_method = mUnit->GetClassLinker()->ResolveMethod(
-      *mUnit->GetDexFile(), method_idx, dex_cache, class_loader, nullptr, invoke_type);
+      *mUnit->GetDexFile(), method_idx, dex_cache, class_loader, NullHandle<mirror::ArtMethod>(),
+      invoke_type);
   DCHECK_EQ(resolved_method == nullptr, soa.Self()->IsExceptionPending());
   if (UNLIKELY(resolved_method == nullptr)) {
     // Clean up any exception left by type resolution.
@@ -206,8 +207,8 @@
 }
 
 inline int CompilerDriver::IsFastInvoke(
-    ScopedObjectAccess& soa, const Handle<mirror::DexCache>& dex_cache,
-    const Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader, const DexCompilationUnit* mUnit,
+    ScopedObjectAccess& soa, Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache,
+    Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader, const DexCompilationUnit* mUnit,
     mirror::Class* referrer_class, mirror::ArtMethod* resolved_method, InvokeType* invoke_type,
     MethodReference* target_method, const MethodReference* devirt_target,
     uintptr_t* direct_code, uintptr_t* direct_method) {
@@ -256,15 +257,17 @@
     ClassLinker* class_linker = mUnit->GetClassLinker();
     if (LIKELY(devirt_target->dex_file == mUnit->GetDexFile())) {
       called_method = class_linker->ResolveMethod(*devirt_target->dex_file,
-                                                  devirt_target->dex_method_index,
-                                                  dex_cache, class_loader, NULL, kVirtual);
+                                                  devirt_target->dex_method_index, dex_cache,
+                                                  class_loader, NullHandle<mirror::ArtMethod>(),
+                                                  kVirtual);
     } else {
       StackHandleScope<1> hs(soa.Self());
       Handle<mirror::DexCache> target_dex_cache(
           hs.NewHandle(class_linker->FindDexCache(*devirt_target->dex_file)));
       called_method = class_linker->ResolveMethod(*devirt_target->dex_file,
                                                   devirt_target->dex_method_index,
-                                                  target_dex_cache, class_loader, NULL, kVirtual);
+                                                  target_dex_cache, class_loader,
+                                                  NullHandle<mirror::ArtMethod>(), kVirtual);
     }
     CHECK(called_method != NULL);
     CHECK(!called_method->IsAbstract());
diff --git a/compiler/driver/compiler_driver.cc b/compiler/driver/compiler_driver.cc
index 0f41d2b..3304561 100644
--- a/compiler/driver/compiler_driver.cc
+++ b/compiler/driver/compiler_driver.cc
@@ -511,7 +511,7 @@
 }
 
 static DexToDexCompilationLevel GetDexToDexCompilationlevel(
-    Thread* self, Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader, const DexFile& dex_file,
+    Thread* self, Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader, const DexFile& dex_file,
     const DexFile::ClassDef& class_def) SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_) {
   const char* descriptor = dex_file.GetClassDescriptor(class_def);
   ClassLinker* class_linker = Runtime::Current()->GetClassLinker();
@@ -731,11 +731,11 @@
     for (const std::pair<uint16_t, const DexFile*>& exception_type : unresolved_exception_types) {
       uint16_t exception_type_idx = exception_type.first;
       const DexFile* dex_file = exception_type.second;
-      StackHandleScope<3> hs(self);
+      StackHandleScope<2> hs(self);
       Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache(hs.NewHandle(class_linker->FindDexCache(*dex_file)));
-      auto class_loader(hs.NewHandle<mirror::ClassLoader>(nullptr));
       Handle<mirror::Class> klass(hs.NewHandle(
-          class_linker->ResolveType(*dex_file, exception_type_idx, dex_cache, class_loader)));
+          class_linker->ResolveType(*dex_file, exception_type_idx, dex_cache,
+                                    NullHandle<mirror::ClassLoader>())));
       if (klass.Get() == NULL) {
         const DexFile::TypeId& type_id = dex_file->GetTypeId(exception_type_idx);
         const char* descriptor = dex_file->GetTypeDescriptor(type_id);
@@ -1541,7 +1541,8 @@
       if (resolve_fields_and_methods) {
         while (it.HasNextDirectMethod()) {
           mirror::ArtMethod* method = class_linker->ResolveMethod(dex_file, it.GetMemberIndex(),
-                                                                  dex_cache, class_loader, NULL,
+                                                                  dex_cache, class_loader,
+                                                                  NullHandle<mirror::ArtMethod>(),
                                                                   it.GetMethodInvokeType(class_def));
           if (method == NULL) {
             CHECK(soa.Self()->IsExceptionPending());
@@ -1551,7 +1552,8 @@
         }
         while (it.HasNextVirtualMethod()) {
           mirror::ArtMethod* method = class_linker->ResolveMethod(dex_file, it.GetMemberIndex(),
-                                                                  dex_cache, class_loader, NULL,
+                                                                  dex_cache, class_loader,
+                                                                  NullHandle<mirror::ArtMethod>(),
                                                                   it.GetMethodInvokeType(class_def));
           if (method == NULL) {
             CHECK(soa.Self()->IsExceptionPending());
diff --git a/compiler/driver/compiler_driver.h b/compiler/driver/compiler_driver.h
index abca659..14ccb50 100644
--- a/compiler/driver/compiler_driver.h
+++ b/compiler/driver/compiler_driver.h
@@ -221,15 +221,15 @@
 
   // Resolve compiling method's class. Returns nullptr on failure.
   mirror::Class* ResolveCompilingMethodsClass(
-      ScopedObjectAccess& soa, const Handle<mirror::DexCache>& dex_cache,
-      const Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader, const DexCompilationUnit* mUnit)
+      ScopedObjectAccess& soa, Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache,
+      Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader, const DexCompilationUnit* mUnit)
     SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
   // Resolve a field. Returns nullptr on failure, including incompatible class change.
   // NOTE: Unlike ClassLinker's ResolveField(), this method enforces is_static.
   mirror::ArtField* ResolveField(
-      ScopedObjectAccess& soa, const Handle<mirror::DexCache>& dex_cache,
-      const Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader, const DexCompilationUnit* mUnit,
+      ScopedObjectAccess& soa, Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache,
+      Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader, const DexCompilationUnit* mUnit,
       uint32_t field_idx, bool is_static)
     SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
@@ -258,8 +258,8 @@
 
   // Resolve a method. Returns nullptr on failure, including incompatible class change.
   mirror::ArtMethod* ResolveMethod(
-      ScopedObjectAccess& soa, const Handle<mirror::DexCache>& dex_cache,
-      const Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader, const DexCompilationUnit* mUnit,
+      ScopedObjectAccess& soa, Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache,
+      Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader, const DexCompilationUnit* mUnit,
       uint32_t method_idx, InvokeType invoke_type)
     SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
@@ -277,8 +277,8 @@
   // Can we fast-path an INVOKE? If no, returns 0. If yes, returns a non-zero opaque flags value
   // for ProcessedInvoke() and computes the necessary lowering info.
   int IsFastInvoke(
-      ScopedObjectAccess& soa, const Handle<mirror::DexCache>& dex_cache,
-      const Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader, const DexCompilationUnit* mUnit,
+      ScopedObjectAccess& soa, Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache,
+      Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader, const DexCompilationUnit* mUnit,
       mirror::Class* referrer_class, mirror::ArtMethod* resolved_method, InvokeType* invoke_type,
       MethodReference* target_method, const MethodReference* devirt_target,
       uintptr_t* direct_code, uintptr_t* direct_method)
diff --git a/compiler/driver/compiler_driver_test.cc b/compiler/driver/compiler_driver_test.cc
index 4efd27d..964dfeb 100644
--- a/compiler/driver/compiler_driver_test.cc
+++ b/compiler/driver/compiler_driver_test.cc
@@ -152,10 +152,9 @@
   jobject class_loader;
   {
     ScopedObjectAccess soa(Thread::Current());
-    StackHandleScope<1> hs(soa.Self());
-    auto null_loader(hs.NewHandle<mirror::ClassLoader>(nullptr));
-    CompileVirtualMethod(null_loader, "java.lang.Class", "isFinalizable", "()Z");
-    CompileDirectMethod(null_loader, "java.lang.Object", "<init>", "()V");
+    CompileVirtualMethod(NullHandle<mirror::ClassLoader>(), "java.lang.Class", "isFinalizable",
+                         "()Z");
+    CompileDirectMethod(NullHandle<mirror::ClassLoader>(), "java.lang.Object", "<init>", "()V");
     class_loader = LoadDex("AbstractMethod");
   }
   ASSERT_TRUE(class_loader != NULL);
diff --git a/compiler/elf_writer_mclinker.cc b/compiler/elf_writer_mclinker.cc
index 0e27210..3dba426 100644
--- a/compiler/elf_writer_mclinker.cc
+++ b/compiler/elf_writer_mclinker.cc
@@ -361,10 +361,11 @@
       ClassLinker* linker = Runtime::Current()->GetClassLinker();
       // Unchecked as we hold mutator_lock_ on entry.
       ScopedObjectAccessUnchecked soa(Thread::Current());
-      StackHandleScope<2> hs(soa.Self());
+      StackHandleScope<1> hs(soa.Self());
       Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache(hs.NewHandle(linker->FindDexCache(dex_file)));
-      auto class_loader(hs.NewHandle<mirror::ClassLoader>(nullptr));
-      method = linker->ResolveMethod(dex_file, method_idx, dex_cache, class_loader, NULL, invoke_type);
+      method = linker->ResolveMethod(dex_file, method_idx, dex_cache,
+                                     NullHandle<mirror::ClassLoader>(),
+                                     NullHandle<mirror::ArtMethod>(), invoke_type);
       CHECK(method != NULL);
     }
     const CompiledMethod* compiled_method =
diff --git a/compiler/image_writer.cc b/compiler/image_writer.cc
index 70144c8..be53926 100644
--- a/compiler/image_writer.cc
+++ b/compiler/image_writer.cc
@@ -695,15 +695,14 @@
 static ArtMethod* GetTargetMethod(const CompilerDriver::CallPatchInformation* patch)
     SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_) {
   ClassLinker* class_linker = Runtime::Current()->GetClassLinker();
-  StackHandleScope<2> hs(Thread::Current());
+  StackHandleScope<1> hs(Thread::Current());
   Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache(
       hs.NewHandle(class_linker->FindDexCache(*patch->GetTargetDexFile())));
-  auto class_loader(hs.NewHandle<mirror::ClassLoader>(nullptr));
   ArtMethod* method = class_linker->ResolveMethod(*patch->GetTargetDexFile(),
                                                   patch->GetTargetMethodIdx(),
                                                   dex_cache,
-                                                  class_loader,
-                                                  NULL,
+                                                  NullHandle<mirror::ClassLoader>(),
+                                                  NullHandle<mirror::ArtMethod>(),
                                                   patch->GetTargetInvokeType());
   CHECK(method != NULL)
     << patch->GetTargetDexFile()->GetLocation() << " " << patch->GetTargetMethodIdx();
@@ -721,11 +720,8 @@
   ClassLinker* class_linker = Runtime::Current()->GetClassLinker();
   StackHandleScope<2> hs(Thread::Current());
   Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache(hs.NewHandle(class_linker->FindDexCache(patch->GetDexFile())));
-  auto class_loader(hs.NewHandle<mirror::ClassLoader>(nullptr));
-  Class* klass = class_linker->ResolveType(patch->GetDexFile(),
-                                           patch->GetTargetTypeIdx(),
-                                           dex_cache,
-                                           class_loader);
+  Class* klass = class_linker->ResolveType(patch->GetDexFile(), patch->GetTargetTypeIdx(),
+                                           dex_cache, NullHandle<mirror::ClassLoader>());
   CHECK(klass != NULL)
     << patch->GetDexFile().GetLocation() << " " << patch->GetTargetTypeIdx();
   CHECK(dex_cache->GetResolvedTypes()->Get(patch->GetTargetTypeIdx()) == klass)
diff --git a/compiler/oat_test.cc b/compiler/oat_test.cc
index a7ee82e..6812f3c 100644
--- a/compiler/oat_test.cc
+++ b/compiler/oat_test.cc
@@ -154,8 +154,8 @@
     }
     const char* descriptor = dex_file->GetClassDescriptor(class_def);
     StackHandleScope<1> hs(soa.Self());
-    auto loader(hs.NewHandle<mirror::ClassLoader>(nullptr));
-    mirror::Class* klass = class_linker->FindClass(soa.Self(), descriptor, loader);
+    mirror::Class* klass = class_linker->FindClass(soa.Self(), descriptor,
+                                                   NullHandle<mirror::ClassLoader>());
 
     const OatFile::OatClass oat_class = oat_dex_file->GetOatClass(i);
     CHECK_EQ(mirror::Class::Status::kStatusNotReady, oat_class.GetStatus()) << descriptor;
diff --git a/compiler/oat_writer.cc b/compiler/oat_writer.cc
index bace25c..5d532ab 100644
--- a/compiler/oat_writer.cc
+++ b/compiler/oat_writer.cc
@@ -513,9 +513,10 @@
     ScopedObjectAccessUnchecked soa(Thread::Current());
     StackHandleScope<2> hs(soa.Self());
     Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache(hs.NewHandle(linker->FindDexCache(*dex_file_)));
-    auto class_loader = hs.NewHandle<mirror::ClassLoader>(nullptr);
     mirror::ArtMethod* method = linker->ResolveMethod(*dex_file_, it.GetMemberIndex(), dex_cache,
-                                                      class_loader, nullptr, invoke_type);
+                                                      NullHandle<mirror::ClassLoader>(),
+                                                      NullHandle<mirror::ArtMethod>(),
+                                                      invoke_type);
     CHECK(method != NULL);
     // Portable code offsets are set by ElfWriterMclinker::FixupCompiledCodeOffset after linking.
     method->SetQuickOatCodeOffset(offsets.code_offset_);
diff --git a/oatdump/oatdump.cc b/oatdump/oatdump.cc
index dcae502..8fd6b6d 100644
--- a/oatdump/oatdump.cc
+++ b/oatdump/oatdump.cc
@@ -417,10 +417,10 @@
       Runtime* runtime = Runtime::Current();
       if (runtime != nullptr) {
         ScopedObjectAccess soa(Thread::Current());
-        StackHandleScope<2> hs(soa.Self());
+        StackHandleScope<1> hs(soa.Self());
         Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache(
             hs.NewHandle(runtime->GetClassLinker()->FindDexCache(dex_file)));
-        auto class_loader(hs.NewHandle<mirror::ClassLoader>(nullptr));
+        NullHandle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader;
         verifier::MethodVerifier verifier(&dex_file, &dex_cache, &class_loader, &class_def,
                                           code_item, dex_method_idx, nullptr, method_access_flags,
                                           true, true);
diff --git a/runtime/class_linker-inl.h b/runtime/class_linker-inl.h
index ac86014..84afb2d 100644
--- a/runtime/class_linker-inl.h
+++ b/runtime/class_linker-inl.h
@@ -34,9 +34,7 @@
 }
 
 inline mirror::Class* ClassLinker::FindSystemClass(Thread* self, const char* descriptor) {
-  StackHandleScope<1> hs(self);
-  auto class_loader = hs.NewHandle<mirror::ClassLoader>(nullptr);
-  return FindClass(self, descriptor, class_loader);
+  return FindClass(self, descriptor, NullHandle<mirror::ClassLoader>());
 }
 
 inline mirror::Class* ClassLinker::FindArrayClass(Thread* self, mirror::Class* element_class) {
@@ -110,31 +108,47 @@
   return resolved_type;
 }
 
-inline mirror::ArtMethod* ClassLinker::ResolveMethod(uint32_t method_idx,
-                                                     mirror::ArtMethod* referrer,
-                                                     InvokeType type) {
+inline mirror::ArtMethod* ClassLinker::GetResolvedMethod(uint32_t method_idx,
+                                                         mirror::ArtMethod* referrer,
+                                                         InvokeType type) {
   mirror::ArtMethod* resolved_method =
       referrer->GetDexCacheResolvedMethods()->Get(method_idx);
-  if (UNLIKELY(resolved_method == NULL || resolved_method->IsRuntimeMethod())) {
-    mirror::Class* declaring_class = referrer->GetDeclaringClass();
-    StackHandleScope<2> hs(Thread::Current());
-    Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache(hs.NewHandle(declaring_class->GetDexCache()));
-    Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader(hs.NewHandle(declaring_class->GetClassLoader()));
-    const DexFile& dex_file = *dex_cache->GetDexFile();
-    resolved_method = ResolveMethod(dex_file, method_idx, dex_cache, class_loader, referrer, type);
-    if (resolved_method != nullptr) {
-      DCHECK_EQ(dex_cache->GetResolvedMethod(method_idx), resolved_method);
-    }
+  if (resolved_method == nullptr || resolved_method->IsRuntimeMethod()) {
+    return nullptr;
   }
   return resolved_method;
 }
 
-inline mirror::ArtField* ClassLinker::ResolveField(uint32_t field_idx,
-                                                   mirror::ArtMethod* referrer,
+inline mirror::ArtMethod* ClassLinker::ResolveMethod(Thread* self, uint32_t method_idx,
+                                                     mirror::ArtMethod** referrer,
+                                                     InvokeType type) {
+  mirror::ArtMethod* resolved_method = GetResolvedMethod(method_idx, *referrer, type);
+  if (LIKELY(resolved_method != nullptr)) {
+    return resolved_method;
+  }
+  mirror::Class* declaring_class = (*referrer)->GetDeclaringClass();
+  StackHandleScope<3> hs(self);
+  Handle<mirror::DexCache> h_dex_cache(hs.NewHandle(declaring_class->GetDexCache()));
+  Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> h_class_loader(hs.NewHandle(declaring_class->GetClassLoader()));
+  HandleWrapper<mirror::ArtMethod> h_referrer(hs.NewHandleWrapper(referrer));
+  const DexFile* dex_file = h_dex_cache->GetDexFile();
+  resolved_method = ResolveMethod(*dex_file, method_idx, h_dex_cache, h_class_loader, h_referrer,
+                                  type);
+  if (resolved_method != nullptr) {
+    DCHECK_EQ(h_dex_cache->GetResolvedMethod(method_idx), resolved_method);
+  }
+  return resolved_method;
+}
+
+inline mirror::ArtField* ClassLinker::GetResolvedField(uint32_t field_idx,
+                                                       mirror::Class* field_declaring_class) {
+  return field_declaring_class->GetDexCache()->GetResolvedField(field_idx);
+}
+
+inline mirror::ArtField* ClassLinker::ResolveField(uint32_t field_idx, mirror::ArtMethod* referrer,
                                                    bool is_static) {
   mirror::Class* declaring_class = referrer->GetDeclaringClass();
-  mirror::ArtField* resolved_field =
-      declaring_class->GetDexCache()->GetResolvedField(field_idx);
+  mirror::ArtField* resolved_field = GetResolvedField(field_idx, declaring_class);
   if (UNLIKELY(resolved_field == NULL)) {
     StackHandleScope<2> hs(Thread::Current());
     Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache(hs.NewHandle(declaring_class->GetDexCache()));
diff --git a/runtime/class_linker.cc b/runtime/class_linker.cc
index c7302b5..afff7a2 100644
--- a/runtime/class_linker.cc
+++ b/runtime/class_linker.cc
@@ -1369,7 +1369,7 @@
 }
 
 mirror::Class* ClassLinker::FindClass(Thread* self, const char* descriptor,
-                                      const Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader) {
+                                      Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader) {
   DCHECK_NE(*descriptor, '\0') << "descriptor is empty string";
   DCHECK(self != nullptr);
   self->AssertNoPendingException();
@@ -1390,8 +1390,7 @@
     DexFile::ClassPathEntry pair = DexFile::FindInClassPath(descriptor, boot_class_path_);
     if (pair.second != NULL) {
       StackHandleScope<1> hs(self);
-      auto class_loader = hs.NewHandle<mirror::ClassLoader>(nullptr);
-      return DefineClass(descriptor, class_loader, *pair.first, *pair.second);
+      return DefineClass(descriptor, NullHandle<mirror::ClassLoader>(), *pair.first, *pair.second);
     }
   } else if (Runtime::Current()->UseCompileTimeClassPath()) {
     // First try the boot class path, we check the descriptor first to avoid an unnecessary
@@ -1452,7 +1451,7 @@
 }
 
 mirror::Class* ClassLinker::DefineClass(const char* descriptor,
-                                        const Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader,
+                                        Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader,
                                         const DexFile& dex_file,
                                         const DexFile::ClassDef& dex_class_def) {
   Thread* self = Thread::Current();
@@ -1796,10 +1795,9 @@
   // Ignore virtual methods on the iterator.
 }
 
-void ClassLinker::LinkCode(const Handle<mirror::ArtMethod>& method,
-                           const OatFile::OatClass* oat_class,
+void ClassLinker::LinkCode(Handle<mirror::ArtMethod> method, const OatFile::OatClass* oat_class,
                            const DexFile& dex_file, uint32_t dex_method_index,
-                           uint32_t method_index) SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_) {
+                           uint32_t method_index) {
   // Method shouldn't have already been linked.
   DCHECK(method->GetEntryPointFromQuickCompiledCode() == nullptr);
   DCHECK(method->GetEntryPointFromPortableCompiledCode() == nullptr);
@@ -1871,7 +1869,7 @@
 
 void ClassLinker::LoadClass(const DexFile& dex_file,
                             const DexFile::ClassDef& dex_class_def,
-                            const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass,
+                            Handle<mirror::Class> klass,
                             mirror::ClassLoader* class_loader) {
   CHECK(klass.Get() != NULL);
   CHECK(klass->GetDexCache() != NULL);
@@ -1909,7 +1907,7 @@
 
 void ClassLinker::LoadClassMembers(const DexFile& dex_file,
                                    const byte* class_data,
-                                   const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass,
+                                   Handle<mirror::Class> klass,
                                    mirror::ClassLoader* class_loader,
                                    const OatFile::OatClass* oat_class) {
   // Load fields.
@@ -2007,8 +2005,7 @@
 }
 
 void ClassLinker::LoadField(const DexFile& /*dex_file*/, const ClassDataItemIterator& it,
-                            const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass,
-                            const Handle<mirror::ArtField>& dst) {
+                            Handle<mirror::Class> klass, Handle<mirror::ArtField> dst) {
   uint32_t field_idx = it.GetMemberIndex();
   dst->SetDexFieldIndex(field_idx);
   dst->SetDeclaringClass(klass.Get());
@@ -2017,7 +2014,7 @@
 
 mirror::ArtMethod* ClassLinker::LoadMethod(Thread* self, const DexFile& dex_file,
                                            const ClassDataItemIterator& it,
-                                           const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass) {
+                                           Handle<mirror::Class> klass) {
   uint32_t dex_method_idx = it.GetMemberIndex();
   const DexFile::MethodId& method_id = dex_file.GetMethodId(dex_method_idx);
   const char* method_name = dex_file.StringDataByIdx(method_id.name_idx_);
@@ -2088,7 +2085,7 @@
 }
 
 void ClassLinker::AppendToBootClassPath(const DexFile& dex_file,
-                                        const Handle<mirror::DexCache>& dex_cache) {
+                                        Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache) {
   CHECK(dex_cache.Get() != NULL) << dex_file.GetLocation();
   boot_class_path_.push_back(&dex_file);
   RegisterDexFile(dex_file, dex_cache);
@@ -2110,7 +2107,7 @@
 }
 
 void ClassLinker::RegisterDexFileLocked(const DexFile& dex_file,
-                                        const Handle<mirror::DexCache>& dex_cache) {
+                                        Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache) {
   dex_lock_.AssertExclusiveHeld(Thread::Current());
   CHECK(dex_cache.Get() != NULL) << dex_file.GetLocation();
   CHECK(dex_cache->GetLocation()->Equals(dex_file.GetLocation()))
@@ -2147,7 +2144,7 @@
 }
 
 void ClassLinker::RegisterDexFile(const DexFile& dex_file,
-                                  const Handle<mirror::DexCache>& dex_cache) {
+                                  Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache) {
   WriterMutexLock mu(Thread::Current(), dex_lock_);
   RegisterDexFileLocked(dex_file, dex_cache);
 }
@@ -2224,7 +2221,7 @@
 //
 // Returns NULL with an exception raised on failure.
 mirror::Class* ClassLinker::CreateArrayClass(Thread* self, const char* descriptor,
-                                             const Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader) {
+                                             Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader) {
   // Identify the underlying component type
   CHECK_EQ('[', descriptor[0]);
   StackHandleScope<2> hs(self);
@@ -2416,7 +2413,7 @@
        it != end && it->first == hash;
        ++it) {
     mirror::Class* klass = it->second;
-    if (klass->GetClassLoader() == class_loader && descriptor == klass->GetDescriptor()) {
+    if (klass->GetClassLoader() == class_loader && klass->DescriptorEquals(descriptor)) {
       class_table_.erase(it);
       return true;
     }
@@ -2460,13 +2457,13 @@
   auto end = class_table_.end();
   for (auto it = class_table_.lower_bound(hash); it != end && it->first == hash; ++it) {
     mirror::Class* klass = it->second;
-    if (klass->GetClassLoader() == class_loader && descriptor == klass->GetDescriptor()) {
+    if (klass->GetClassLoader() == class_loader && klass->DescriptorEquals(descriptor)) {
       if (kIsDebugBuild) {
         // Check for duplicates in the table.
         for (++it; it != end && it->first == hash; ++it) {
           mirror::Class* klass2 = it->second;
-          CHECK(!((klass2->GetClassLoader() == class_loader) &&
-              descriptor == klass2->GetDescriptor()))
+          CHECK(!(klass2->GetClassLoader() == class_loader &&
+              klass2->DescriptorEquals(descriptor)))
               << PrettyClass(klass) << " " << klass << " " << klass->GetClassLoader() << " "
               << PrettyClass(klass2) << " " << klass2 << " " << klass2->GetClassLoader();
         }
@@ -2557,13 +2554,13 @@
   for (auto it = class_table_.lower_bound(hash), end = class_table_.end();
       it != end && it->first == hash; ++it) {
     mirror::Class* klass = it->second;
-    if (descriptor == klass->GetDescriptor()) {
+    if (klass->DescriptorEquals(descriptor)) {
       result.push_back(klass);
     }
   }
 }
 
-void ClassLinker::VerifyClass(const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass) {
+void ClassLinker::VerifyClass(Handle<mirror::Class> klass) {
   // TODO: assert that the monitor on the Class is held
   Thread* self = Thread::Current();
   ObjectLock<mirror::Class> lock(self, klass);
@@ -2776,7 +2773,7 @@
 }
 
 void ClassLinker::ResolveClassExceptionHandlerTypes(const DexFile& dex_file,
-                                                    const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass) {
+                                                    Handle<mirror::Class> klass) {
   for (size_t i = 0; i < klass->NumDirectMethods(); i++) {
     ResolveMethodExceptionHandlerTypes(dex_file, klass->GetDirectMethod(i));
   }
@@ -2817,7 +2814,7 @@
 
 static void CheckProxyConstructor(mirror::ArtMethod* constructor);
 static void CheckProxyMethod(mirror::ArtMethod* method,
-                             Handle<mirror::ArtMethod>& prototype);
+                             Handle<mirror::ArtMethod> prototype);
 
 mirror::Class* ClassLinker::CreateProxyClass(ScopedObjectAccessAlreadyRunnable& soa, jstring name,
                                              jobjectArray interfaces, jobject loader,
@@ -2999,7 +2996,7 @@
 
 
 mirror::ArtMethod* ClassLinker::CreateProxyConstructor(Thread* self,
-                                                       const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass,
+                                                       Handle<mirror::Class> klass,
                                                        mirror::Class* proxy_class) {
   // Create constructor for Proxy that must initialize h
   mirror::ObjectArray<mirror::ArtMethod>* proxy_direct_methods =
@@ -3030,8 +3027,8 @@
 }
 
 mirror::ArtMethod* ClassLinker::CreateProxyMethod(Thread* self,
-                                                  const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass,
-                                                  const Handle<mirror::ArtMethod>& prototype) {
+                                                  Handle<mirror::Class> klass,
+                                                  Handle<mirror::ArtMethod> prototype) {
   // Ensure prototype is in dex cache so that we can use the dex cache to look up the overridden
   // prototype method
   prototype->GetDeclaringClass()->GetDexCache()->SetResolvedMethod(prototype->GetDexMethodIndex(),
@@ -3058,8 +3055,7 @@
   return method;
 }
 
-static void CheckProxyMethod(mirror::ArtMethod* method,
-                             Handle<mirror::ArtMethod>& prototype)
+static void CheckProxyMethod(mirror::ArtMethod* method, Handle<mirror::ArtMethod> prototype)
     SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_) {
   // Basic sanity
   CHECK(!prototype->IsFinal());
@@ -3119,7 +3115,7 @@
   return init_done_;
 }
 
-bool ClassLinker::InitializeClass(const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass, bool can_init_statics,
+bool ClassLinker::InitializeClass(Handle<mirror::Class> klass, bool can_init_statics,
                                   bool can_init_parents) {
   // see JLS 3rd edition, 12.4.2 "Detailed Initialization Procedure" for the locking protocol
 
@@ -3286,7 +3282,7 @@
   return success;
 }
 
-bool ClassLinker::WaitForInitializeClass(const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass, Thread* self,
+bool ClassLinker::WaitForInitializeClass(Handle<mirror::Class> klass, Thread* self,
                                          ObjectLock<mirror::Class>& lock)
     SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_) {
   while (true) {
@@ -3326,7 +3322,7 @@
   LOG(FATAL) << "Not Reached" << PrettyClass(klass.Get());
 }
 
-bool ClassLinker::ValidateSuperClassDescriptors(const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass) {
+bool ClassLinker::ValidateSuperClassDescriptors(Handle<mirror::Class> klass) {
   if (klass->IsInterface()) {
     return true;
   }
@@ -3368,18 +3364,12 @@
   return true;
 }
 
-bool ClassLinker::EnsureInitialized(const Handle<mirror::Class>& c, bool can_init_fields,
+bool ClassLinker::EnsureInitialized(Handle<mirror::Class> c, bool can_init_fields,
                                     bool can_init_parents) {
-  DCHECK(c.Get() != NULL);
-  if (c->IsInitialized()) {
-    return true;
-  }
-
-  bool success = InitializeClass(c, can_init_fields, can_init_parents);
-  if (!success) {
-    if (can_init_fields && can_init_parents) {
-      CHECK(Thread::Current()->IsExceptionPending()) << PrettyClass(c.Get());
-    }
+  DCHECK(c.Get() != nullptr);
+  const bool success = c->IsInitialized() || InitializeClass(c, can_init_fields, can_init_parents);
+  if (!success && can_init_fields && can_init_parents) {
+    CHECK(Thread::Current()->IsExceptionPending()) << PrettyClass(c.Get());
   }
   return success;
 }
@@ -3398,8 +3388,8 @@
   }
 }
 
-bool ClassLinker::LinkClass(Thread* self, const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass,
-                            const Handle<mirror::ObjectArray<mirror::Class>>& interfaces) {
+bool ClassLinker::LinkClass(Thread* self, Handle<mirror::Class> klass,
+                            Handle<mirror::ObjectArray<mirror::Class>> interfaces) {
   CHECK_EQ(mirror::Class::kStatusLoaded, klass->GetStatus());
   if (!LinkSuperClass(klass)) {
     return false;
@@ -3420,8 +3410,7 @@
   return true;
 }
 
-bool ClassLinker::LoadSuperAndInterfaces(const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass,
-                                         const DexFile& dex_file) {
+bool ClassLinker::LoadSuperAndInterfaces(Handle<mirror::Class> klass, const DexFile& dex_file) {
   CHECK_EQ(mirror::Class::kStatusIdx, klass->GetStatus());
   const DexFile::ClassDef& class_def = dex_file.GetClassDef(klass->GetDexClassDefIndex());
   uint16_t super_class_idx = class_def.superclass_idx_;
@@ -3464,7 +3453,7 @@
   return true;
 }
 
-bool ClassLinker::LinkSuperClass(const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass) {
+bool ClassLinker::LinkSuperClass(Handle<mirror::Class> klass) {
   CHECK(!klass->IsPrimitive());
   mirror::Class* super = klass->GetSuperClass();
   if (klass.Get() == GetClassRoot(kJavaLangObject)) {
@@ -3524,8 +3513,8 @@
 }
 
 // Populate the class vtable and itable. Compute return type indices.
-bool ClassLinker::LinkMethods(const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass,
-                              const Handle<mirror::ObjectArray<mirror::Class>>& interfaces) {
+bool ClassLinker::LinkMethods(Handle<mirror::Class> klass,
+                              Handle<mirror::ObjectArray<mirror::Class>> interfaces) {
   if (klass->IsInterface()) {
     // No vtable.
     size_t count = klass->NumVirtualMethods();
@@ -3545,7 +3534,7 @@
   return true;
 }
 
-bool ClassLinker::LinkVirtualMethods(const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass) {
+bool ClassLinker::LinkVirtualMethods(Handle<mirror::Class> klass) {
   Thread* self = Thread::Current();
   if (klass->HasSuperClass()) {
     uint32_t max_count = (klass->NumVirtualMethods() +
@@ -3632,9 +3621,8 @@
   return true;
 }
 
-bool ClassLinker::LinkInterfaceMethods(
-    const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass,
-    const Handle<mirror::ObjectArray<mirror::Class>>& interfaces) {
+bool ClassLinker::LinkInterfaceMethods(Handle<mirror::Class> klass,
+                                       Handle<mirror::ObjectArray<mirror::Class>> interfaces) {
   Thread* const self = Thread::Current();
   // Set the imt table to be all conflicts by default.
   klass->SetImTable(Runtime::Current()->GetDefaultImt());
@@ -3889,12 +3877,12 @@
   return true;
 }
 
-bool ClassLinker::LinkInstanceFields(const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass) {
+bool ClassLinker::LinkInstanceFields(Handle<mirror::Class> klass) {
   CHECK(klass.Get() != NULL);
   return LinkFields(klass, false);
 }
 
-bool ClassLinker::LinkStaticFields(const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass) {
+bool ClassLinker::LinkStaticFields(Handle<mirror::Class> klass) {
   CHECK(klass.Get() != NULL);
   size_t allocated_class_size = klass->GetClassSize();
   bool success = LinkFields(klass, true);
@@ -3933,7 +3921,7 @@
   }
 };
 
-bool ClassLinker::LinkFields(const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass, bool is_static) {
+bool ClassLinker::LinkFields(Handle<mirror::Class> klass, bool is_static) {
   size_t num_fields =
       is_static ? klass->NumStaticFields() : klass->NumInstanceFields();
 
@@ -4029,7 +4017,7 @@
   }
 
   // We lie to the GC about the java.lang.ref.Reference.referent field, so it doesn't scan it.
-  if (!is_static && "Ljava/lang/ref/Reference;" == klass->GetDescriptor()) {
+  if (!is_static && klass->DescriptorEquals("Ljava/lang/ref/Reference;")) {
     // We know there are no non-reference fields in the Reference classes, and we know
     // that 'referent' is alphabetically last, so this is easy...
     CHECK_EQ(num_reference_fields, num_fields) << PrettyClass(klass.Get());
@@ -4054,7 +4042,7 @@
       FieldHelper fh(field);
       Primitive::Type type = fh.GetTypeAsPrimitiveType();
       bool is_primitive = type != Primitive::kPrimNot;
-      if ("Ljava/lang/ref/Reference;" == klass->GetDescriptor() &&
+      if (klass->DescriptorEquals("Ljava/lang/ref/Reference;") &&
           strcmp("referent", fh.GetName()) == 0) {
         is_primitive = true;  // We lied above, so we have to expect a lie here.
       }
@@ -4093,7 +4081,7 @@
 
 //  Set the bitmap of reference offsets, refOffsets, from the ifields
 //  list.
-void ClassLinker::CreateReferenceInstanceOffsets(const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass) {
+void ClassLinker::CreateReferenceInstanceOffsets(Handle<mirror::Class> klass) {
   uint32_t reference_offsets = 0;
   mirror::Class* super_class = klass->GetSuperClass();
   if (super_class != NULL) {
@@ -4107,11 +4095,11 @@
   CreateReferenceOffsets(klass, false, reference_offsets);
 }
 
-void ClassLinker::CreateReferenceStaticOffsets(const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass) {
+void ClassLinker::CreateReferenceStaticOffsets(Handle<mirror::Class> klass) {
   CreateReferenceOffsets(klass, true, 0);
 }
 
-void ClassLinker::CreateReferenceOffsets(const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass, bool is_static,
+void ClassLinker::CreateReferenceOffsets(Handle<mirror::Class> klass, bool is_static,
                                          uint32_t reference_offsets) {
   size_t num_reference_fields =
       is_static ? klass->NumReferenceStaticFieldsDuringLinking()
@@ -4144,7 +4132,7 @@
 }
 
 mirror::String* ClassLinker::ResolveString(const DexFile& dex_file, uint32_t string_idx,
-                                           const Handle<mirror::DexCache>& dex_cache) {
+                                           Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache) {
   DCHECK(dex_cache.Get() != nullptr);
   mirror::String* resolved = dex_cache->GetResolvedString(string_idx);
   if (resolved != NULL) {
@@ -4166,8 +4154,8 @@
 }
 
 mirror::Class* ClassLinker::ResolveType(const DexFile& dex_file, uint16_t type_idx,
-                                        const Handle<mirror::DexCache>& dex_cache,
-                                        const Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader) {
+                                        Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache,
+                                        Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader) {
   DCHECK(dex_cache.Get() != NULL);
   mirror::Class* resolved = dex_cache->GetResolvedType(type_idx);
   if (resolved == NULL) {
@@ -4198,16 +4186,15 @@
   return resolved;
 }
 
-mirror::ArtMethod* ClassLinker::ResolveMethod(const DexFile& dex_file,
-                                              uint32_t method_idx,
-                                              const Handle<mirror::DexCache>& dex_cache,
-                                              const Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader,
-                                              mirror::ArtMethod* referrer,
+mirror::ArtMethod* ClassLinker::ResolveMethod(const DexFile& dex_file, uint32_t method_idx,
+                                              Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache,
+                                              Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader,
+                                              Handle<mirror::ArtMethod> referrer,
                                               InvokeType type) {
   DCHECK(dex_cache.Get() != NULL);
   // Check for hit in the dex cache.
   mirror::ArtMethod* resolved = dex_cache->GetResolvedMethod(method_idx);
-  if (resolved != NULL && !resolved->IsRuntimeMethod()) {
+  if (resolved != nullptr && !resolved->IsRuntimeMethod()) {
     return resolved;
   }
   // Fail, get the declaring class.
@@ -4282,7 +4269,7 @@
     }
 
     // If we found something, check that it can be accessed by the referrer.
-    if (resolved != NULL && referrer != NULL) {
+    if (resolved != NULL && referrer.Get() != NULL) {
       mirror::Class* methods_class = resolved->GetDeclaringClass();
       mirror::Class* referring_class = referrer->GetDeclaringClass();
       if (!referring_class->CanAccess(methods_class)) {
@@ -4302,11 +4289,11 @@
       case kDirect:
       case kStatic:
         if (resolved != NULL) {
-          ThrowIncompatibleClassChangeError(type, kVirtual, resolved, referrer);
+          ThrowIncompatibleClassChangeError(type, kVirtual, resolved, referrer.Get());
         } else {
           resolved = klass->FindInterfaceMethod(name, signature);
           if (resolved != NULL) {
-            ThrowIncompatibleClassChangeError(type, kInterface, resolved, referrer);
+            ThrowIncompatibleClassChangeError(type, kInterface, resolved, referrer.Get());
           } else {
             ThrowNoSuchMethodError(type, klass, name, signature);
           }
@@ -4314,11 +4301,11 @@
         break;
       case kInterface:
         if (resolved != NULL) {
-          ThrowIncompatibleClassChangeError(type, kDirect, resolved, referrer);
+          ThrowIncompatibleClassChangeError(type, kDirect, resolved, referrer.Get());
         } else {
           resolved = klass->FindVirtualMethod(name, signature);
           if (resolved != NULL) {
-            ThrowIncompatibleClassChangeError(type, kVirtual, resolved, referrer);
+            ThrowIncompatibleClassChangeError(type, kVirtual, resolved, referrer.Get());
           } else {
             ThrowNoSuchMethodError(type, klass, name, signature);
           }
@@ -4329,11 +4316,11 @@
         break;
       case kVirtual:
         if (resolved != NULL) {
-          ThrowIncompatibleClassChangeError(type, kDirect, resolved, referrer);
+          ThrowIncompatibleClassChangeError(type, kDirect, resolved, referrer.Get());
         } else {
           resolved = klass->FindInterfaceMethod(name, signature);
           if (resolved != NULL) {
-            ThrowIncompatibleClassChangeError(type, kInterface, resolved, referrer);
+            ThrowIncompatibleClassChangeError(type, kInterface, resolved, referrer.Get());
           } else {
             ThrowNoSuchMethodError(type, klass, name, signature);
           }
@@ -4346,8 +4333,8 @@
 }
 
 mirror::ArtField* ClassLinker::ResolveField(const DexFile& dex_file, uint32_t field_idx,
-                                            const Handle<mirror::DexCache>& dex_cache,
-                                            const Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader,
+                                            Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache,
+                                            Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader,
                                             bool is_static) {
   DCHECK(dex_cache.Get() != nullptr);
   mirror::ArtField* resolved = dex_cache->GetResolvedField(field_idx);
@@ -4389,8 +4376,8 @@
 
 mirror::ArtField* ClassLinker::ResolveFieldJLS(const DexFile& dex_file,
                                                uint32_t field_idx,
-                                               const Handle<mirror::DexCache>& dex_cache,
-                                               const Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader) {
+                                               Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache,
+                                               Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader) {
   DCHECK(dex_cache.Get() != nullptr);
   mirror::ArtField* resolved = dex_cache->GetResolvedField(field_idx);
   if (resolved != NULL) {
diff --git a/runtime/class_linker.h b/runtime/class_linker.h
index 54805be..a8271ed 100644
--- a/runtime/class_linker.h
+++ b/runtime/class_linker.h
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@
   // Finds a class by its descriptor, loading it if necessary.
   // If class_loader is null, searches boot_class_path_.
   mirror::Class* FindClass(Thread* self, const char* descriptor,
-                           const Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader)
+                           Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
   // Finds a class by its descriptor using the "system" class loader, ie by searching the
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@
 
   // Define a new a class based on a ClassDef from a DexFile
   mirror::Class* DefineClass(const char* descriptor,
-                             const Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader,
+                             Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader,
                              const DexFile& dex_file, const DexFile::ClassDef& dex_class_def)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@
   // Resolve a String with the given index from the DexFile, storing the
   // result in the DexCache.
   mirror::String* ResolveString(const DexFile& dex_file, uint32_t string_idx,
-                                const Handle<mirror::DexCache>& dex_cache)
+                                Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
   // Resolve a Type with the given index from the DexFile, storing the
@@ -159,8 +159,8 @@
   // type, since it may be referenced from but not contained within
   // the given DexFile.
   mirror::Class* ResolveType(const DexFile& dex_file, uint16_t type_idx,
-                             const Handle<mirror::DexCache>& dex_cache,
-                             const Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader)
+                             Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache,
+                             Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
   // Resolve a method with a given ID from the DexFile, storing the
@@ -170,16 +170,21 @@
   // virtual method.
   mirror::ArtMethod* ResolveMethod(const DexFile& dex_file,
                                    uint32_t method_idx,
-                                   const Handle<mirror::DexCache>& dex_cache,
-                                   const Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader,
-                                   mirror::ArtMethod* referrer,
+                                   Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache,
+                                   Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader,
+                                   Handle<mirror::ArtMethod> referrer,
                                    InvokeType type)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
-  mirror::ArtMethod* ResolveMethod(uint32_t method_idx, mirror::ArtMethod* referrer,
+  mirror::ArtMethod* GetResolvedMethod(uint32_t method_idx, mirror::ArtMethod* referrer,
+                                       InvokeType type)
+      SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
+  mirror::ArtMethod* ResolveMethod(Thread* self, uint32_t method_idx, mirror::ArtMethod** referrer,
                                    InvokeType type)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
+  mirror::ArtField* GetResolvedField(uint32_t field_idx, mirror::Class* field_declaring_class)
+      SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
   mirror::ArtField* ResolveField(uint32_t field_idx, mirror::ArtMethod* referrer,
                                  bool is_static)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
@@ -191,8 +196,8 @@
   // field.
   mirror::ArtField* ResolveField(const DexFile& dex_file,
                                  uint32_t field_idx,
-                                 const Handle<mirror::DexCache>& dex_cache,
-                                 const Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader,
+                                 Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache,
+                                 Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader,
                                  bool is_static)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
@@ -200,10 +205,9 @@
   // result in DexCache. The ClassLinker and ClassLoader are used as
   // in ResolveType. No is_static argument is provided so that Java
   // field resolution semantics are followed.
-  mirror::ArtField* ResolveFieldJLS(const DexFile& dex_file,
-                                    uint32_t field_idx,
-                                    const Handle<mirror::DexCache>& dex_cache,
-                                    const Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader)
+  mirror::ArtField* ResolveFieldJLS(const DexFile& dex_file, uint32_t field_idx,
+                                    Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache,
+                                    Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
   // Get shorty from method index without resolution. Used to do handlerization.
@@ -213,8 +217,7 @@
   // Returns true on success, false if there's an exception pending.
   // can_run_clinit=false allows the compiler to attempt to init a class,
   // given the restriction that no <clinit> execution is possible.
-  bool EnsureInitialized(const Handle<mirror::Class>& c,
-                         bool can_init_fields, bool can_init_parents)
+  bool EnsureInitialized(Handle<mirror::Class> c, bool can_init_fields, bool can_init_parents)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
   // Initializes classes that have instances in the image but that have
@@ -224,7 +227,7 @@
   void RegisterDexFile(const DexFile& dex_file)
       LOCKS_EXCLUDED(dex_lock_)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
-  void RegisterDexFile(const DexFile& dex_file, const Handle<mirror::DexCache>& dex_cache)
+  void RegisterDexFile(const DexFile& dex_file, Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache)
       LOCKS_EXCLUDED(dex_lock_)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
@@ -316,12 +319,12 @@
                                                                               size_t length)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
-  void VerifyClass(const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass) SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
+  void VerifyClass(Handle<mirror::Class> klass) SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
   bool VerifyClassUsingOatFile(const DexFile& dex_file, mirror::Class* klass,
                                mirror::Class::Status& oat_file_class_status)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
   void ResolveClassExceptionHandlerTypes(const DexFile& dex_file,
-                                         const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass)
+                                         Handle<mirror::Class> klass)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
   void ResolveMethodExceptionHandlerTypes(const DexFile& dex_file, mirror::ArtMethod* klass)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
@@ -420,12 +423,12 @@
 
 
   mirror::Class* CreateArrayClass(Thread* self, const char* descriptor,
-                                  const Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader)
+                                  Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
   void AppendToBootClassPath(const DexFile& dex_file)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
-  void AppendToBootClassPath(const DexFile& dex_file, const Handle<mirror::DexCache>& dex_cache)
+  void AppendToBootClassPath(const DexFile& dex_file, Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
   void ConstructFieldMap(const DexFile& dex_file, const DexFile::ClassDef& dex_class_def,
@@ -437,23 +440,23 @@
 
   void LoadClass(const DexFile& dex_file,
                  const DexFile::ClassDef& dex_class_def,
-                 const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass,
+                 Handle<mirror::Class> klass,
                  mirror::ClassLoader* class_loader)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
   void LoadClassMembers(const DexFile& dex_file,
                         const byte* class_data,
-                        const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass,
+                        Handle<mirror::Class> klass,
                         mirror::ClassLoader* class_loader,
                         const OatFile::OatClass* oat_class)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
   void LoadField(const DexFile& dex_file, const ClassDataItemIterator& it,
-                 const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass, const Handle<mirror::ArtField>& dst)
+                 Handle<mirror::Class> klass, Handle<mirror::ArtField> dst)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
   mirror::ArtMethod* LoadMethod(Thread* self, const DexFile& dex_file,
                                 const ClassDataItemIterator& dex_method,
-                                const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass)
+                                Handle<mirror::Class> klass)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
   void FixupStaticTrampolines(mirror::Class* klass) SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
@@ -462,23 +465,23 @@
   OatFile::OatClass GetOatClass(const DexFile& dex_file, uint16_t class_def_idx)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
-  void RegisterDexFileLocked(const DexFile& dex_file, const Handle<mirror::DexCache>& dex_cache)
+  void RegisterDexFileLocked(const DexFile& dex_file, Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache)
       EXCLUSIVE_LOCKS_REQUIRED(dex_lock_)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
   bool IsDexFileRegisteredLocked(const DexFile& dex_file) const
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(dex_lock_, Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
-  bool InitializeClass(const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass, bool can_run_clinit,
+  bool InitializeClass(Handle<mirror::Class> klass, bool can_run_clinit,
                        bool can_init_parents)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
-  bool WaitForInitializeClass(const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass, Thread* self,
+  bool WaitForInitializeClass(Handle<mirror::Class> klass, Thread* self,
                               ObjectLock<mirror::Class>& lock);
-  bool ValidateSuperClassDescriptors(const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass)
+  bool ValidateSuperClassDescriptors(Handle<mirror::Class> klass)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
   bool IsSameDescriptorInDifferentClassContexts(Thread* self, const char* descriptor,
-                                                Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader1,
-                                                Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader2)
+                                                Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader1,
+                                                Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader2)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
   bool IsSameMethodSignatureInDifferentClassContexts(Thread* self, mirror::ArtMethod* method,
@@ -486,43 +489,43 @@
                                                      mirror::Class* klass2)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
-  bool LinkClass(Thread* self, const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass,
-                 const Handle<mirror::ObjectArray<mirror::Class>>& interfaces)
+  bool LinkClass(Thread* self, Handle<mirror::Class> klass,
+                 Handle<mirror::ObjectArray<mirror::Class>> interfaces)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
-  bool LinkSuperClass(const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass)
+  bool LinkSuperClass(Handle<mirror::Class> klass)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
-  bool LoadSuperAndInterfaces(const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass, const DexFile& dex_file)
+  bool LoadSuperAndInterfaces(Handle<mirror::Class> klass, const DexFile& dex_file)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
-  bool LinkMethods(const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass,
-                   const Handle<mirror::ObjectArray<mirror::Class>>& interfaces)
+  bool LinkMethods(Handle<mirror::Class> klass,
+                   Handle<mirror::ObjectArray<mirror::Class>> interfaces)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
-  bool LinkVirtualMethods(const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass)
+  bool LinkVirtualMethods(Handle<mirror::Class> klass)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
-  bool LinkInterfaceMethods(const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass,
-                            const Handle<mirror::ObjectArray<mirror::Class>>& interfaces)
+  bool LinkInterfaceMethods(Handle<mirror::Class> klass,
+                            Handle<mirror::ObjectArray<mirror::Class>> interfaces)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
-  bool LinkStaticFields(const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass)
+  bool LinkStaticFields(Handle<mirror::Class> klass)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
-  bool LinkInstanceFields(const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass)
+  bool LinkInstanceFields(Handle<mirror::Class> klass)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
-  bool LinkFields(const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass, bool is_static)
+  bool LinkFields(Handle<mirror::Class> klass, bool is_static)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
-  void LinkCode(const Handle<mirror::ArtMethod>& method, const OatFile::OatClass* oat_class,
+  void LinkCode(Handle<mirror::ArtMethod> method, const OatFile::OatClass* oat_class,
                 const DexFile& dex_file, uint32_t dex_method_index, uint32_t method_index)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
 
-  void CreateReferenceInstanceOffsets(const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass)
+  void CreateReferenceInstanceOffsets(Handle<mirror::Class> klass)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
-  void CreateReferenceStaticOffsets(const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass)
+  void CreateReferenceStaticOffsets(Handle<mirror::Class> klass)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
-  void CreateReferenceOffsets(const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass, bool is_static,
+  void CreateReferenceOffsets(Handle<mirror::Class> klass, bool is_static,
                               uint32_t reference_offsets)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
@@ -551,11 +554,11 @@
                                                  bool* open_failed)
       LOCKS_EXCLUDED(dex_lock_);
 
-  mirror::ArtMethod* CreateProxyConstructor(Thread* self, const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass,
+  mirror::ArtMethod* CreateProxyConstructor(Thread* self, Handle<mirror::Class> klass,
                                             mirror::Class* proxy_class)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
-  mirror::ArtMethod* CreateProxyMethod(Thread* self, const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass,
-                                       const Handle<mirror::ArtMethod>& prototype)
+  mirror::ArtMethod* CreateProxyMethod(Thread* self, Handle<mirror::Class> klass,
+                                       Handle<mirror::ArtMethod> prototype)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
   std::vector<const DexFile*> boot_class_path_;
diff --git a/runtime/class_linker_test.cc b/runtime/class_linker_test.cc
index d04f02b..c11aecc 100644
--- a/runtime/class_linker_test.cc
+++ b/runtime/class_linker_test.cc
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@
     AssertArrayClass(array_descriptor, array);
   }
 
-  void AssertArrayClass(const std::string& array_descriptor, const Handle<mirror::Class>& array)
+  void AssertArrayClass(const std::string& array_descriptor, Handle<mirror::Class> array)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_) {
     ASSERT_TRUE(array.Get() != NULL);
     ASSERT_TRUE(array->GetClass() != NULL);
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@
     EXPECT_TRUE(fh.GetType() != NULL);
   }
 
-  void AssertClass(const std::string& descriptor, const Handle<mirror::Class>& klass)
+  void AssertClass(const std::string& descriptor, Handle<mirror::Class> klass)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_) {
     EXPECT_STREQ(descriptor.c_str(), klass->GetDescriptor().c_str());
     if (descriptor == "Ljava/lang/Object;") {
@@ -846,8 +846,7 @@
   // Validate that the "value" field is always the 0th field in each of java.lang's box classes.
   // This lets UnboxPrimitive avoid searching for the field by name at runtime.
   ScopedObjectAccess soa(Thread::Current());
-  StackHandleScope<1> hs(soa.Self());
-  auto class_loader(hs.NewHandle<mirror::ClassLoader>(nullptr));
+  NullHandle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader;
   mirror::Class* c;
   c = class_linker_->FindClass(soa.Self(), "Ljava/lang/Boolean;", class_loader);
   FieldHelper fh(c->GetIFields()->Get(0));
diff --git a/runtime/entrypoints/entrypoint_utils.h b/runtime/entrypoints/entrypoint_utils.h
index f1795a5..58b4286 100644
--- a/runtime/entrypoints/entrypoint_utils.h
+++ b/runtime/entrypoints/entrypoint_utils.h
@@ -385,31 +385,36 @@
 
 template<InvokeType type, bool access_check>
 static inline mirror::ArtMethod* FindMethodFromCode(uint32_t method_idx,
-                                                    mirror::Object* this_object,
-                                                    mirror::ArtMethod* referrer, Thread* self) {
-  ClassLinker* class_linker = Runtime::Current()->GetClassLinker();
-  StackHandleScope<1> hs(self);
-  Handle<mirror::Object> handle_scope_this(hs.NewHandle(type == kStatic ? nullptr : this_object));
-  mirror::ArtMethod* resolved_method = class_linker->ResolveMethod(method_idx, referrer, type);
+                                                    mirror::Object** this_object,
+                                                    mirror::ArtMethod** referrer, Thread* self) {
+  ClassLinker* const class_linker = Runtime::Current()->GetClassLinker();
+  mirror::ArtMethod* resolved_method = class_linker->GetResolvedMethod(method_idx, *referrer, type);
+  if (resolved_method == nullptr) {
+    StackHandleScope<1> hs(self);
+    mirror::Object* null_this = nullptr;
+    HandleWrapper<mirror::Object> h_this(
+        hs.NewHandleWrapper(type == kStatic ? &null_this : this_object));
+    resolved_method = class_linker->ResolveMethod(self, method_idx, referrer, type);
+  }
   if (UNLIKELY(resolved_method == nullptr)) {
     DCHECK(self->IsExceptionPending());  // Throw exception and unwind.
     return nullptr;  // Failure.
-  } else if (UNLIKELY(handle_scope_this.Get() == nullptr && type != kStatic)) {
+  } else if (UNLIKELY(*this_object == nullptr && type != kStatic)) {
     // Maintain interpreter-like semantics where NullPointerException is thrown
     // after potential NoSuchMethodError from class linker.
     ThrowLocation throw_location = self->GetCurrentLocationForThrow();
-    DCHECK(referrer == throw_location.GetMethod());
+    DCHECK_EQ(*referrer, throw_location.GetMethod());
     ThrowNullPointerExceptionForMethodAccess(throw_location, method_idx, type);
     return nullptr;  // Failure.
   } else if (access_check) {
     // Incompatible class change should have been handled in resolve method.
     if (UNLIKELY(resolved_method->CheckIncompatibleClassChange(type))) {
       ThrowIncompatibleClassChangeError(type, resolved_method->GetInvokeType(), resolved_method,
-                                        referrer);
+                                        *referrer);
       return nullptr;  // Failure.
     }
     mirror::Class* methods_class = resolved_method->GetDeclaringClass();
-    mirror::Class* referring_class = referrer->GetDeclaringClass();
+    mirror::Class* referring_class = (*referrer)->GetDeclaringClass();
     bool can_access_resolved_method =
         referring_class->CheckResolvedMethodAccess<type>(methods_class, resolved_method,
                                                          method_idx);
@@ -423,7 +428,7 @@
     case kDirect:
       return resolved_method;
     case kVirtual: {
-      mirror::ObjectArray<mirror::ArtMethod>* vtable = handle_scope_this->GetClass()->GetVTable();
+      mirror::ObjectArray<mirror::ArtMethod>* vtable = (*this_object)->GetClass()->GetVTable();
       uint16_t vtable_index = resolved_method->GetMethodIndex();
       if (access_check &&
           (vtable == nullptr || vtable_index >= static_cast<uint32_t>(vtable->GetLength()))) {
@@ -437,7 +442,7 @@
       return vtable->GetWithoutChecks(vtable_index);
     }
     case kSuper: {
-      mirror::Class* super_class = referrer->GetDeclaringClass()->GetSuperClass();
+      mirror::Class* super_class = (*referrer)->GetDeclaringClass()->GetSuperClass();
       uint16_t vtable_index = resolved_method->GetMethodIndex();
       mirror::ObjectArray<mirror::ArtMethod>* vtable;
       if (access_check) {
@@ -460,20 +465,19 @@
     }
     case kInterface: {
       uint32_t imt_index = resolved_method->GetDexMethodIndex() % ClassLinker::kImtSize;
-      mirror::ObjectArray<mirror::ArtMethod>* imt_table = handle_scope_this->GetClass()->GetImTable();
+      mirror::ObjectArray<mirror::ArtMethod>* imt_table = (*this_object)->GetClass()->GetImTable();
       mirror::ArtMethod* imt_method = imt_table->Get(imt_index);
       if (!imt_method->IsImtConflictMethod()) {
         return imt_method;
       } else {
         mirror::ArtMethod* interface_method =
-            handle_scope_this->GetClass()->FindVirtualMethodForInterface(resolved_method);
+            (*this_object)->GetClass()->FindVirtualMethodForInterface(resolved_method);
         if (UNLIKELY(interface_method == nullptr)) {
           ThrowIncompatibleClassChangeErrorClassForInterfaceDispatch(resolved_method,
-                                                                     handle_scope_this.Get(), referrer);
+                                                                     *this_object, *referrer);
           return nullptr;  // Failure.
-        } else {
-          return interface_method;
         }
+        return interface_method;
       }
     }
     default:
@@ -486,8 +490,8 @@
 #define EXPLICIT_FIND_METHOD_FROM_CODE_TEMPLATE_DECL(_type, _access_check)                 \
   template SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_) ALWAYS_INLINE                       \
   mirror::ArtMethod* FindMethodFromCode<_type, _access_check>(uint32_t method_idx,         \
-                                                              mirror::Object* this_object, \
-                                                              mirror::ArtMethod* referrer, \
+                                                              mirror::Object** this_object, \
+                                                              mirror::ArtMethod** referrer, \
                                                               Thread* self)
 #define EXPLICIT_FIND_METHOD_FROM_CODE_TYPED_TEMPLATE_DECL(_type) \
     EXPLICIT_FIND_METHOD_FROM_CODE_TEMPLATE_DECL(_type, false);   \
diff --git a/runtime/entrypoints/interpreter/interpreter_entrypoints.cc b/runtime/entrypoints/interpreter/interpreter_entrypoints.cc
index 3f02ec7..f2e2bf7 100644
--- a/runtime/entrypoints/interpreter/interpreter_entrypoints.cc
+++ b/runtime/entrypoints/interpreter/interpreter_entrypoints.cc
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 
 namespace art {
 
+// TODO: Make the MethodHelper here be compaction safe.
 extern "C" void artInterpreterToCompiledCodeBridge(Thread* self, MethodHelper& mh,
                                                    const DexFile::CodeItem* code_item,
                                                    ShadowFrame* shadow_frame, JValue* result) {
@@ -43,6 +44,8 @@
       }
       self->PopShadowFrame();
       CHECK(h_class->IsInitializing());
+      // Reload from shadow frame in case the method moved, this is faster than adding a handle.
+      method = shadow_frame->GetMethod();
     }
   }
   uint16_t arg_offset = (code_item == NULL) ? 0 : code_item->registers_size_ - code_item->ins_size_;
diff --git a/runtime/entrypoints/portable/portable_invoke_entrypoints.cc b/runtime/entrypoints/portable/portable_invoke_entrypoints.cc
index d34b097..3a898e8 100644
--- a/runtime/entrypoints/portable/portable_invoke_entrypoints.cc
+++ b/runtime/entrypoints/portable/portable_invoke_entrypoints.cc
@@ -23,17 +23,20 @@
 
 template<InvokeType type, bool access_check>
 mirror::ArtMethod* FindMethodHelper(uint32_t method_idx, mirror::Object* this_object,
-                                    mirror::ArtMethod* caller_method, Thread* thread) {
+                                    mirror::ArtMethod* caller_method, Thread* self) {
   mirror::ArtMethod* method = FindMethodFast(method_idx, this_object, caller_method,
                                              access_check, type);
   if (UNLIKELY(method == NULL)) {
-    method = FindMethodFromCode<type, access_check>(method_idx, this_object, caller_method, thread);
+    // Note: This can cause thread suspension.
+    self->AssertThreadSuspensionIsAllowable();
+    method = FindMethodFromCode<type, access_check>(method_idx, &this_object, &caller_method,
+                                                    self);
     if (UNLIKELY(method == NULL)) {
-      CHECK(thread->IsExceptionPending());
+      CHECK(self->IsExceptionPending());
       return 0;  // failure
     }
   }
-  DCHECK(!thread->IsExceptionPending());
+  DCHECK(!self->IsExceptionPending());
   const void* code = method->GetEntryPointFromPortableCompiledCode();
 
   // When we return, the caller will branch to this address, so it had better not be 0!
diff --git a/runtime/entrypoints/portable/portable_trampoline_entrypoints.cc b/runtime/entrypoints/portable/portable_trampoline_entrypoints.cc
index 17c3222..3756f47 100644
--- a/runtime/entrypoints/portable/portable_trampoline_entrypoints.cc
+++ b/runtime/entrypoints/portable/portable_trampoline_entrypoints.cc
@@ -317,11 +317,11 @@
 // Lazily resolve a method for portable. Called by stub code.
 extern "C" const void* artPortableResolutionTrampoline(mirror::ArtMethod* called,
                                                        mirror::Object* receiver,
-                                                       Thread* thread,
+                                                       Thread* self,
                                                        mirror::ArtMethod** called_addr)
     SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_) {
   uint32_t dex_pc;
-  mirror::ArtMethod* caller = thread->GetCurrentMethod(&dex_pc);
+  mirror::ArtMethod* caller = self->GetCurrentMethod(&dex_pc);
 
   ClassLinker* linker = Runtime::Current()->GetClassLinker();
   InvokeType invoke_type;
@@ -379,7 +379,7 @@
         is_range = true;
     }
     uint32_t dex_method_idx = (is_range) ? instr->VRegB_3rc() : instr->VRegB_35c();
-    called = linker->ResolveMethod(dex_method_idx, caller, invoke_type);
+    called = linker->ResolveMethod(Thread::Current(), dex_method_idx, &caller, invoke_type);
     // Incompatible class change should have been handled in resolve method.
     CHECK(!called->CheckIncompatibleClassChange(invoke_type));
     // Refine called method based on receiver.
@@ -395,9 +395,9 @@
     CHECK(!called->CheckIncompatibleClassChange(invoke_type));
   }
   const void* code = nullptr;
-  if (LIKELY(!thread->IsExceptionPending())) {
+  if (LIKELY(!self->IsExceptionPending())) {
     // Ensure that the called method's class is initialized.
-    StackHandleScope<1> hs(Thread::Current());
+    StackHandleScope<1> hs(self);
     Handle<mirror::Class> called_class(hs.NewHandle(called->GetDeclaringClass()));
     linker->EnsureInitialized(called_class, true, true);
     if (LIKELY(called_class->IsInitialized())) {
diff --git a/runtime/entrypoints/quick/quick_trampoline_entrypoints.cc b/runtime/entrypoints/quick/quick_trampoline_entrypoints.cc
index ee276c1..2c920de 100644
--- a/runtime/entrypoints/quick/quick_trampoline_entrypoints.cc
+++ b/runtime/entrypoints/quick/quick_trampoline_entrypoints.cc
@@ -755,11 +755,12 @@
   self->EndAssertNoThreadSuspension(old_cause);
   bool virtual_or_interface = invoke_type == kVirtual || invoke_type == kInterface;
   // Resolve method filling in dex cache.
-  if (called->IsRuntimeMethod()) {
+  if (UNLIKELY(called->IsRuntimeMethod())) {
     StackHandleScope<1> hs(self);
-    Handle<mirror::Object> handle_scope_receiver(hs.NewHandle(virtual_or_interface ? receiver : nullptr));
-    called = linker->ResolveMethod(dex_method_idx, caller, invoke_type);
-    receiver = handle_scope_receiver.Get();
+    mirror::Object* dummy = nullptr;
+    HandleWrapper<mirror::Object> h_receiver(
+        hs.NewHandleWrapper(virtual_or_interface ? &receiver : &dummy));
+    called = linker->ResolveMethod(self, dex_method_idx, &caller, invoke_type);
   }
   const void* code = NULL;
   if (LIKELY(!self->IsExceptionPending())) {
@@ -1681,7 +1682,8 @@
       ScopedObjectAccessUnchecked soa(self->GetJniEnv());
       RememberForGcArgumentVisitor visitor(sp, type == kStatic, shorty, shorty_len, &soa);
       visitor.VisitArguments();
-      method = FindMethodFromCode<type, access_check>(method_idx, this_object, caller_method, self);
+      method = FindMethodFromCode<type, access_check>(method_idx, &this_object, &caller_method,
+                                                      self);
       visitor.FixupReferences();
     }
 
@@ -1871,7 +1873,7 @@
       ScopedObjectAccessUnchecked soa(self->GetJniEnv());
       RememberForGcArgumentVisitor visitor(sp, false, shorty, shorty_len, &soa);
       visitor.VisitArguments();
-      method = FindMethodFromCode<kInterface, false>(dex_method_idx, this_object, caller_method,
+      method = FindMethodFromCode<kInterface, false>(dex_method_idx, &this_object, &caller_method,
                                                      self);
       visitor.FixupReferences();
     }
diff --git a/runtime/handle.h b/runtime/handle.h
index 3127864..c4e9285 100644
--- a/runtime/handle.h
+++ b/runtime/handle.h
@@ -53,29 +53,43 @@
     reference_->Assign(reference);
     return old;
   }
-  jobject ToJObject() const ALWAYS_INLINE {
+  jobject ToJObject() const SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_) ALWAYS_INLINE {
+    if (UNLIKELY(reference_->AsMirrorPtr() == nullptr)) {
+      // Special case so that we work with NullHandles.
+      return nullptr;
+    }
     return reinterpret_cast<jobject>(reference_);
   }
 
- private:
+ protected:
   StackReference<T>* reference_;
 
   template<typename S>
   explicit Handle(StackReference<S>* reference)
       : reference_(reinterpret_cast<StackReference<T>*>(reference)) {
   }
-
   template<typename S>
   explicit Handle(const Handle<S>& handle)
       : reference_(reinterpret_cast<StackReference<T>*>(handle.reference_)) {
   }
 
+ private:
   template<class S> friend class Handle;
   friend class HandleScope;
   template<class S> friend class HandleWrapper;
   template<size_t kNumReferences> friend class StackHandleScope;
 };
 
+template<class T>
+class NullHandle : public Handle<T> {
+ public:
+  NullHandle() : Handle<T>(&null_ref_) {
+  }
+
+ private:
+  StackReference<T> null_ref_;
+};
+
 }  // namespace art
 
 #endif  // ART_RUNTIME_HANDLE_H_
diff --git a/runtime/interpreter/interpreter.cc b/runtime/interpreter/interpreter.cc
index 478c74c..f77a0f6 100644
--- a/runtime/interpreter/interpreter.cc
+++ b/runtime/interpreter/interpreter.cc
@@ -524,16 +524,17 @@
   ArtMethod* method = shadow_frame->GetMethod();
   // Ensure static methods are initialized.
   if (method->IsStatic()) {
-    StackHandleScope<1> hs(self);
-    Handle<Class> declaringClass(hs.NewHandle(method->GetDeclaringClass()));
-    if (UNLIKELY(!declaringClass->IsInitializing())) {
-      if (UNLIKELY(!Runtime::Current()->GetClassLinker()->EnsureInitialized(declaringClass, true,
-                                                                            true))) {
-        DCHECK(Thread::Current()->IsExceptionPending());
+    mirror::Class* declaring_class = method->GetDeclaringClass();
+    if (UNLIKELY(!declaring_class->IsInitializing())) {
+      StackHandleScope<1> hs(self);
+      HandleWrapper<Class> h_declaring_class(hs.NewHandleWrapper(&declaring_class));
+      if (UNLIKELY(!Runtime::Current()->GetClassLinker()->EnsureInitialized(
+          h_declaring_class, true, true))) {
+        DCHECK(self->IsExceptionPending());
         self->PopShadowFrame();
         return;
       }
-      CHECK(declaringClass->IsInitializing());
+      CHECK(h_declaring_class->IsInitializing());
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/runtime/interpreter/interpreter_common.cc b/runtime/interpreter/interpreter_common.cc
index 418aff5..63ae6fd 100644
--- a/runtime/interpreter/interpreter_common.cc
+++ b/runtime/interpreter/interpreter_common.cc
@@ -296,11 +296,9 @@
     // other variants that take more arguments should also be added.
     std::string descriptor(DotToDescriptor(shadow_frame->GetVRegReference(arg_offset)->AsString()->ToModifiedUtf8().c_str()));
 
-    StackHandleScope<1> hs(self);
     // shadow_frame.GetMethod()->GetDeclaringClass()->GetClassLoader();
-    auto class_loader = hs.NewHandle<ClassLoader>(nullptr);
-    Class* found = Runtime::Current()->GetClassLinker()->FindClass(self, descriptor.c_str(),
-                                                                   class_loader);
+    Class* found = Runtime::Current()->GetClassLinker()->FindClass(
+        self, descriptor.c_str(), NullHandle<mirror::ClassLoader>());
     CHECK(found != NULL) << "Class.forName failed in un-started runtime for class: "
         << PrettyDescriptor(descriptor);
     result->SetL(found);
diff --git a/runtime/interpreter/interpreter_common.h b/runtime/interpreter/interpreter_common.h
index b42af11..cfc90a6 100644
--- a/runtime/interpreter/interpreter_common.h
+++ b/runtime/interpreter/interpreter_common.h
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@
 #include "dex_instruction.h"
 #include "entrypoints/entrypoint_utils.h"
 #include "gc/accounting/card_table-inl.h"
+#include "handle_scope-inl.h"
 #include "nth_caller_visitor.h"
 #include "mirror/art_field-inl.h"
 #include "mirror/art_method.h"
@@ -112,9 +113,10 @@
   const uint32_t method_idx = (is_range) ? inst->VRegB_3rc() : inst->VRegB_35c();
   const uint32_t vregC = (is_range) ? inst->VRegC_3rc() : inst->VRegC_35c();
   Object* receiver = (type == kStatic) ? nullptr : shadow_frame.GetVRegReference(vregC);
-  ArtMethod* const method = FindMethodFromCode<type, do_access_check>(method_idx, receiver,
-                                                                      shadow_frame.GetMethod(),
-                                                                      self);
+  mirror::ArtMethod* sf_method = shadow_frame.GetMethod();
+  ArtMethod* const method = FindMethodFromCode<type, do_access_check>(
+      method_idx, &receiver, &sf_method, self);
+  // The shadow frame should already be pushed, so we don't need to update it.
   if (UNLIKELY(method == nullptr)) {
     CHECK(self->IsExceptionPending());
     result->SetJ(0);
@@ -348,6 +350,10 @@
     case Primitive::kPrimNot: {
       Object* reg = shadow_frame.GetVRegReference(vregA);
       if (do_assignability_check && reg != nullptr) {
+        // FieldHelper::GetType can resolve classes, use a handle wrapper which will restore the
+        // object in the destructor.
+        StackHandleScope<1> hs(self);
+        HandleWrapper<mirror::Object> wrapper(hs.NewHandleWrapper(&obj));
         Class* field_class = FieldHelper(f).GetType();
         if (!reg->VerifierInstanceOf(field_class)) {
           // This should never happen.
@@ -372,7 +378,8 @@
 // Handles iput-quick, iput-wide-quick and iput-object-quick instructions.
 // Returns true on success, otherwise throws an exception and returns false.
 template<Primitive::Type field_type, bool transaction_active>
-static SOMETIMES_INLINE_KEYWORD bool DoIPutQuick(const ShadowFrame& shadow_frame, const Instruction* inst, uint16_t inst_data) {
+static SOMETIMES_INLINE_KEYWORD bool DoIPutQuick(const ShadowFrame& shadow_frame,
+                                                 const Instruction* inst, uint16_t inst_data) {
   Object* obj = shadow_frame.GetVRegReference(inst->VRegB_22c(inst_data));
   if (UNLIKELY(obj == nullptr)) {
     // We lost the reference to the field index so we cannot get a more
diff --git a/runtime/jni_internal.cc b/runtime/jni_internal.cc
index 6f3317d..b51e1d5 100644
--- a/runtime/jni_internal.cc
+++ b/runtime/jni_internal.cc
@@ -3138,7 +3138,7 @@
 }
 
 bool JavaVMExt::LoadNativeLibrary(const std::string& path,
-                                  const Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader,
+                                  Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader,
                                   std::string* detail) {
   detail->clear();
 
diff --git a/runtime/jni_internal.h b/runtime/jni_internal.h
index 37195eb..7e76e11 100644
--- a/runtime/jni_internal.h
+++ b/runtime/jni_internal.h
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@
    * Returns 'true' on success. On failure, sets 'detail' to a
    * human-readable description of the error.
    */
-  bool LoadNativeLibrary(const std::string& path, const Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader,
+  bool LoadNativeLibrary(const std::string& path, Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader,
                          std::string* detail)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
diff --git a/runtime/mirror/array.cc b/runtime/mirror/array.cc
index 552652c..1076643 100644
--- a/runtime/mirror/array.cc
+++ b/runtime/mirror/array.cc
@@ -42,8 +42,8 @@
 // Recursively create an array with multiple dimensions.  Elements may be
 // Objects or primitive types.
 static Array* RecursiveCreateMultiArray(Thread* self,
-                                        const Handle<Class>& array_class, int current_dimension,
-                                        const Handle<mirror::IntArray>& dimensions)
+                                        Handle<Class> array_class, int current_dimension,
+                                        Handle<mirror::IntArray> dimensions)
     SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_) {
   int32_t array_length = dimensions->Get(current_dimension);
   StackHandleScope<1> hs(self);
@@ -73,8 +73,8 @@
   return new_array.Get();
 }
 
-Array* Array::CreateMultiArray(Thread* self, const Handle<Class>& element_class,
-                               const Handle<IntArray>& dimensions) {
+Array* Array::CreateMultiArray(Thread* self, Handle<Class> element_class,
+                               Handle<IntArray> dimensions) {
   // Verify dimensions.
   //
   // The caller is responsible for verifying that "dimArray" is non-null
diff --git a/runtime/mirror/array.h b/runtime/mirror/array.h
index 1b8106e..64e2317 100644
--- a/runtime/mirror/array.h
+++ b/runtime/mirror/array.h
@@ -38,8 +38,8 @@
                       bool fill_usable = false)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
-  static Array* CreateMultiArray(Thread* self, const Handle<Class>& element_class,
-                                 const Handle<IntArray>& dimensions)
+  static Array* CreateMultiArray(Thread* self, Handle<Class> element_class,
+                                 Handle<IntArray> dimensions)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
   template<VerifyObjectFlags kVerifyFlags = kDefaultVerifyFlags,
diff --git a/runtime/mirror/art_method.cc b/runtime/mirror/art_method.cc
index af544fd..e2d3f41 100644
--- a/runtime/mirror/art_method.cc
+++ b/runtime/mirror/art_method.cc
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@
   return 0;
 }
 
-uint32_t ArtMethod::FindCatchBlock(Handle<Class>& exception_type, uint32_t dex_pc,
+uint32_t ArtMethod::FindCatchBlock(Handle<Class> exception_type, uint32_t dex_pc,
                                    bool* has_no_move_exception, bool* exc_changed) {
   MethodHelper mh(this);
   const DexFile::CodeItem* code_item = mh.GetCodeItem();
diff --git a/runtime/mirror/art_method.h b/runtime/mirror/art_method.h
index 34fe0bf..2e8253f 100644
--- a/runtime/mirror/art_method.h
+++ b/runtime/mirror/art_method.h
@@ -401,7 +401,7 @@
   // In the process of finding a catch block we might trigger resolution errors. This is flagged
   // by exc_changed, which indicates that a different exception is now stored in the thread and
   // should be reloaded.
-  uint32_t FindCatchBlock(Handle<Class>& exception_type, uint32_t dex_pc,
+  uint32_t FindCatchBlock(Handle<Class> exception_type, uint32_t dex_pc,
                           bool* has_no_move_exception, bool* exc_changed)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
diff --git a/runtime/mirror/stack_trace_element.cc b/runtime/mirror/stack_trace_element.cc
index d8591cc..b1de2b6 100644
--- a/runtime/mirror/stack_trace_element.cc
+++ b/runtime/mirror/stack_trace_element.cc
@@ -39,10 +39,8 @@
   java_lang_StackTraceElement_ = NULL;
 }
 
-StackTraceElement* StackTraceElement::Alloc(Thread* self,
-                                            Handle<String>& declaring_class,
-                                            Handle<String>& method_name,
-                                            Handle<String>& file_name,
+StackTraceElement* StackTraceElement::Alloc(Thread* self, Handle<String> declaring_class,
+                                            Handle<String> method_name, Handle<String> file_name,
                                             int32_t line_number) {
   StackTraceElement* trace =
       down_cast<StackTraceElement*>(GetStackTraceElement()->AllocObject(self));
@@ -57,8 +55,8 @@
 }
 
 template<bool kTransactionActive>
-void StackTraceElement::Init(Handle<String>& declaring_class, Handle<String>& method_name,
-                             Handle<String>& file_name, int32_t line_number) {
+void StackTraceElement::Init(Handle<String> declaring_class, Handle<String> method_name,
+                             Handle<String> file_name, int32_t line_number) {
   SetFieldObject<kTransactionActive>(OFFSET_OF_OBJECT_MEMBER(StackTraceElement, declaring_class_),
                                      declaring_class.Get());
   SetFieldObject<kTransactionActive>(OFFSET_OF_OBJECT_MEMBER(StackTraceElement, method_name_),
diff --git a/runtime/mirror/stack_trace_element.h b/runtime/mirror/stack_trace_element.h
index 22d9b71..e094e8b 100644
--- a/runtime/mirror/stack_trace_element.h
+++ b/runtime/mirror/stack_trace_element.h
@@ -46,10 +46,8 @@
     return GetField32(OFFSET_OF_OBJECT_MEMBER(StackTraceElement, line_number_));
   }
 
-  static StackTraceElement* Alloc(Thread* self,
-                                  Handle<String>& declaring_class,
-                                  Handle<String>& method_name,
-                                  Handle<String>& file_name,
+  static StackTraceElement* Alloc(Thread* self, Handle<String> declaring_class,
+                                  Handle<String> method_name, Handle<String> file_name,
                                   int32_t line_number)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
@@ -70,8 +68,8 @@
   int32_t line_number_;
 
   template<bool kTransactionActive>
-  void Init(Handle<String>& declaring_class, Handle<String>& method_name,
-            Handle<String>& file_name, int32_t line_number)
+  void Init(Handle<String> declaring_class, Handle<String> method_name, Handle<String> file_name,
+            int32_t line_number)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
   static Class* java_lang_StackTraceElement_;
diff --git a/runtime/mirror/string.cc b/runtime/mirror/string.cc
index ee719b4..1d79106 100644
--- a/runtime/mirror/string.cc
+++ b/runtime/mirror/string.cc
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@
   return Alloc(self, array);
 }
 
-String* String::Alloc(Thread* self, const Handle<CharArray>& array) {
+String* String::Alloc(Thread* self, Handle<CharArray> array) {
   // Hold reference in case AllocObject causes GC.
   String* string = down_cast<String*>(GetJavaLangString()->AllocObject(self));
   if (LIKELY(string != nullptr)) {
diff --git a/runtime/mirror/string.h b/runtime/mirror/string.h
index 169b671..6c3015f 100644
--- a/runtime/mirror/string.h
+++ b/runtime/mirror/string.h
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@
   static String* Alloc(Thread* self, int32_t utf16_length)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
-  static String* Alloc(Thread* self, const Handle<CharArray>& array)
+  static String* Alloc(Thread* self, Handle<CharArray> array)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
   void SetArray(CharArray* new_array) SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
diff --git a/runtime/monitor.cc b/runtime/monitor.cc
index f783edb..fe1ef6c 100644
--- a/runtime/monitor.cc
+++ b/runtime/monitor.cc
@@ -637,7 +637,7 @@
   }
 }
 
-void Monitor::InflateThinLocked(Thread* self, Handle<mirror::Object>& obj, LockWord lock_word,
+void Monitor::InflateThinLocked(Thread* self, Handle<mirror::Object> obj, LockWord lock_word,
                                 uint32_t hash_code) {
   DCHECK_EQ(lock_word.GetState(), LockWord::kThinLocked);
   uint32_t owner_thread_id = lock_word.ThinLockOwner();
diff --git a/runtime/monitor.h b/runtime/monitor.h
index bc1b2ed4..007f54d 100644
--- a/runtime/monitor.h
+++ b/runtime/monitor.h
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@
     return monitor_id_;
   }
 
-  static void InflateThinLocked(Thread* self, Handle<mirror::Object>& obj, LockWord lock_word,
+  static void InflateThinLocked(Thread* self, Handle<mirror::Object> obj, LockWord lock_word,
                                 uint32_t hash_code) NO_THREAD_SAFETY_ANALYSIS;
 
   static bool Deflate(Thread* self, mirror::Object* obj)
diff --git a/runtime/native/dalvik_system_VMRuntime.cc b/runtime/native/dalvik_system_VMRuntime.cc
index d9c9b59..d55b545 100644
--- a/runtime/native/dalvik_system_VMRuntime.cc
+++ b/runtime/native/dalvik_system_VMRuntime.cc
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@
 }
 
 // Based on ClassLinker::ResolveString.
-static void PreloadDexCachesResolveString(Handle<mirror::DexCache>& dex_cache, uint32_t string_idx,
+static void PreloadDexCachesResolveString(Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache, uint32_t string_idx,
                                           StringTable& strings)
     SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_) {
   mirror::String* string = dex_cache->GetResolvedString(string_idx);
@@ -267,8 +267,7 @@
 }
 
 // Based on ClassLinker::ResolveField.
-static void PreloadDexCachesResolveField(Handle<mirror::DexCache>& dex_cache,
-                                         uint32_t field_idx,
+static void PreloadDexCachesResolveField(Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache, uint32_t field_idx,
                                          bool is_static)
     SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_) {
   mirror::ArtField* field = dex_cache->GetResolvedField(field_idx);
@@ -296,8 +295,7 @@
 }
 
 // Based on ClassLinker::ResolveMethod.
-static void PreloadDexCachesResolveMethod(Handle<mirror::DexCache>& dex_cache,
-                                          uint32_t method_idx,
+static void PreloadDexCachesResolveMethod(Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache, uint32_t method_idx,
                                           InvokeType invoke_type)
     SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_) {
   mirror::ArtMethod* method = dex_cache->GetResolvedMethod(method_idx);
diff --git a/runtime/verifier/method_verifier.cc b/runtime/verifier/method_verifier.cc
index 4863b83..2293ad7 100644
--- a/runtime/verifier/method_verifier.cc
+++ b/runtime/verifier/method_verifier.cc
@@ -121,8 +121,8 @@
 }
 
 MethodVerifier::FailureKind MethodVerifier::VerifyClass(const DexFile* dex_file,
-                                                        Handle<mirror::DexCache>& dex_cache,
-                                                        Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader,
+                                                        Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache,
+                                                        Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader,
                                                         const DexFile::ClassDef* class_def,
                                                         bool allow_soft_failures,
                                                         std::string* error) {
@@ -151,7 +151,8 @@
     previous_direct_method_idx = method_idx;
     InvokeType type = it.GetMethodInvokeType(*class_def);
     mirror::ArtMethod* method =
-        linker->ResolveMethod(*dex_file, method_idx, dex_cache, class_loader, NULL, type);
+        linker->ResolveMethod(*dex_file, method_idx, dex_cache, class_loader,
+                              NullHandle<mirror::ArtMethod>(), type);
     if (method == NULL) {
       DCHECK(Thread::Current()->IsExceptionPending());
       // We couldn't resolve the method, but continue regardless.
@@ -193,7 +194,8 @@
     previous_virtual_method_idx = method_idx;
     InvokeType type = it.GetMethodInvokeType(*class_def);
     mirror::ArtMethod* method =
-        linker->ResolveMethod(*dex_file, method_idx, dex_cache, class_loader, NULL, type);
+        linker->ResolveMethod(*dex_file, method_idx, dex_cache, class_loader,
+                              NullHandle<mirror::ArtMethod>(), type);
     if (method == NULL) {
       DCHECK(Thread::Current()->IsExceptionPending());
       // We couldn't resolve the method, but continue regardless.
@@ -232,8 +234,8 @@
 
 MethodVerifier::FailureKind MethodVerifier::VerifyMethod(uint32_t method_idx,
                                                          const DexFile* dex_file,
-                                                         Handle<mirror::DexCache>& dex_cache,
-                                                         Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader,
+                                                         Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache,
+                                                         Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader,
                                                          const DexFile::ClassDef* class_def,
                                                          const DexFile::CodeItem* code_item,
                                                          mirror::ArtMethod* method,
@@ -277,8 +279,8 @@
 
 void MethodVerifier::VerifyMethodAndDump(std::ostream& os, uint32_t dex_method_idx,
                                          const DexFile* dex_file,
-                                         Handle<mirror::DexCache>& dex_cache,
-                                         Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader,
+                                         Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache,
+                                         Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader,
                                          const DexFile::ClassDef* class_def,
                                          const DexFile::CodeItem* code_item,
                                          mirror::ArtMethod* method,
diff --git a/runtime/verifier/method_verifier.h b/runtime/verifier/method_verifier.h
index 495d3c5..f614425 100644
--- a/runtime/verifier/method_verifier.h
+++ b/runtime/verifier/method_verifier.h
@@ -142,15 +142,15 @@
   /* Verify a class. Returns "kNoFailure" on success. */
   static FailureKind VerifyClass(mirror::Class* klass, bool allow_soft_failures, std::string* error)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
-  static FailureKind VerifyClass(const DexFile* dex_file, Handle<mirror::DexCache>& dex_cache,
-                                 Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader,
+  static FailureKind VerifyClass(const DexFile* dex_file, Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache,
+                                 Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader,
                                  const DexFile::ClassDef* class_def,
                                  bool allow_soft_failures, std::string* error)
       SHARED_LOCKS_REQUIRED(Locks::mutator_lock_);
 
   static void VerifyMethodAndDump(std::ostream& os, uint32_t method_idx, const DexFile* dex_file,
-                                  Handle<mirror::DexCache>& dex_cache,
-                                  Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader,
+                                  Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache,
+                                  Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader,
                                   const DexFile::ClassDef* class_def,
                                   const DexFile::CodeItem* code_item,
                                   mirror::ArtMethod* method, uint32_t method_access_flags)
@@ -255,8 +255,8 @@
    *      for code flow problems.
    */
   static FailureKind VerifyMethod(uint32_t method_idx, const DexFile* dex_file,
-                                  Handle<mirror::DexCache>& dex_cache,
-                                  Handle<mirror::ClassLoader>& class_loader,
+                                  Handle<mirror::DexCache> dex_cache,
+                                  Handle<mirror::ClassLoader> class_loader,
                                   const DexFile::ClassDef* class_def_idx,
                                   const DexFile::CodeItem* code_item,
                                   mirror::ArtMethod* method, uint32_t method_access_flags,